A driver in his 30s has been arrested after causing an accident while driving under the influence and fleeing the scene, subsequently attempting to feign sobriety by claiming to have consumed alcohol after the incident, a tactic known as 'sul-tagi'.
'Sul-tagi' refers to the act of drinking more alcohol after causing a drunk driving accident and fleeing, making it difficult to measure blood alcohol content.
The Haeundae Police Station in Busan announced on May 20th that they have arrested and forwarded Mr. A (age 30s) on charges including fleeing the scene causing injury under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Crimes, failure to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, unlicensed driving, and reckless driving.
Mr. A is accused of driving under the influence without a license around 10:50 PM on April 22nd in Banyeo-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, where he violated a traffic signal and collided with a taxi that was proceeding normally, injuring the taxi driver and two passengers.
After the accident, Mr. A allegedly fled for 2 kilometers, engaging in reckless driving that included crossing the center line twice, running a red light, and speeding, before crashing into a pedestrian walkway railing and abandoning his vehicle.
The police identified the driver the day after the accident, and upon contacting him, Mr. A initially agreed to appear for questioning but then cut off contact. Later, through his lawyer, he claimed to be "drinking with others," attempting the so-called 'sul-tagi' method. He eventually appeared for questioning a week after the incident, stating, "I drank about three glasses of soju right before the accident, and I fled because I was scared as I didn't have a license."
Due to the 'sul-tagi' attempt, the police were unable to apply drunk driving charges under the Road Traffic Act. While CCTV footage from the restaurant where Mr. A claimed to have consumed alcohol confirmed he had been drinking, the exact amount could not be determined.
Starting June 4th, the Act on Preventing Interference with Drunk Driving Investigations will come into effect, making such 'sul-tagi' tactics subject to punishment. Under the revised Road Traffic Act, obstructing a police breathalyzer test through methods like 'sul-tagi' can result in imprisonment for one to five years or a fine of 5 million to 20 million won.
A police official stated, "We will spread awareness that such obstruction of justice and reckless driving will be punished without fail, and we will create a safer traffic culture in Busan."
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