Driving Tips    

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1. In Korea, laws are sometimes viewed as goals one strives to achieve as opposed to parameters within which one must operate. This has certainly been true of traffic laws, and you will still see drivers who adhere to this philosophy. However, as a foreign driver, should there be a negative consequence to your following their lead, you are likely to be treated more harshly than a local. (see liability)
2. Traffic etiquette is often based on the ‘might is right’ philosophy, which means that buses and expensive cars regularly disregard traffic rules and even ‘bully’ smaller or less expensive cars.
3. After driving for a while in Korea, one learns that, while not mean or rude, most Korean drivers are quite oblivious of others when they want to change lanes, turn, etc. Most drivers seem to feel that the space on either side of their vehicle belongs to them and to believe that there is no one behind them.
4. Koreans are generally in a hurry and it shows in the driving. It is not unusual for a driver behind a car stopped at a red light or at a pedestrian crossing to toot her/his own impatiently to ‘encourage’ that car to get going regardless of pedestrians or the light.
5. Pedestrian walkways are usually placed a little ways back from the light, so many drivers, in an attempt to gain a fraction of second, will run to be on the traffic light side of the walkway, even if pedestrian have started across. Buses love to do this and consequently often end up blocking part, if not all, of the pedestrian walkway.
6. It is not unusual for motorcycles to drive on the sidewalk as if they were on the road – sometimes more recklessly even since they are in no danger from cars. This is against the law but there is little or no enforcement of the regulation.
7. Driving etiquette is improving all the time, however. One must remember that, despite its modern and prosperous appearance, Korea was completely devastated a little over 50 years and remained a poor country for a generation after that. Driving is a relatively new phenomenon and as we enter the third generation of driving and car ownership of the general public, driving behavior is already similar to that in most large cities around the world.
8. Although you won’t have traffic cops chasing you, there are cameras all over to catch traffic and parking offenders. The police regularly set up speed ‘traps’ and alcohol check points. These are sometimes regular locations, but others are not. The latter are sometimes announced on Korean radio, but not always, and rarely, if ever, in English.
9. If you look in the mirror see a police car with its lights flashing, stay calm. It just means that the car and the officers are on duty. It does not mean you have to pull over.
10. Police conduct alcohol level tests pretty frequently. Sometimes the locations are posted in newspapers (Korean) or announced on the radio, etc. while others are set up on a regular schedule. However, more and more sites are not announced and in varied locations at differing times. When you come to one, here's what you do: When you reach the officer,  stop, roll down the window and quickly breathe into the breathalyzer – it takes only a second...if you pass the test.
    

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