Sex criminals banned from driving taxis for 20 years

Murderers, rapists and those convicted of other serious crimes will not permitted to drive a taxi from now on as part of government efforts to prevent offenses committed by cab drivers against female passengers.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said Wednesday that a revised law concerning the operation of passenger transport vehicles will go into effect today.

Under the revised law, Koreans and non-Koreans committing murder, rape and other grave offenses will not be able to acquire a license to drive taxis, buses and other public transport vehicles for two years after their release from prison.

In particular, they are banned from driving a cab for 20 years, given a growing number of crimes in which male drivers target female passengers, the ministry said.

Additionally, those caught driving under the influence of alcohol for over three times during a five-year period won’t be able to drive a taxi or other commercial vehicles. Businesses hiring frequent drunk drivers will be subject to a 10-million won fine. Individuals will also be forced to pay up to 5 million won in fine.

“The revised law will better ensure the safety of passengers and improve services provided by commercial vehicle operators,’’ a ministry official said.

Currently, only taxi drivers are subject to a written test concerning traffic laws and vehicle operation, and required to score 60 points out of 100 to land a job. But the revised law also requires city bus drivers pass the same exam.

The ministry also plans to strengthen the monitoring of state oil subsidies provided to taxi and bus operators. The government began giving the subsidies in 2001 to help improve the financial standing of taxi and bus firms.

Under the law, those who falsely apply and receive the subsidies by exaggerating the number of vehicles they operate and using other illicit means will be forced to return the financial assistance. The violators will be ineligible for the subsidies for up to a year.

The law also requires operators of buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) to conduct a regular safety check on the vehicles, after a CNG bus exploded in 2010. <The Korea Times/Lee Hyo-sik>

news@theasian.asia