Cell-phone use by drivers will be banned

Starting next year, use of cell phones while driving will become a traffic offense.

The Regulation Reform Committee announced July 31 that a traffic regulation reform bill banning the use of cell phones by drivers of personal or commercial vehicles will be submitted to the National Assembly for implementation as early as next year.

Preceding the comprehensive ban, the Regulation Reform Committee announced a plan to amend the laws regulating the transportation service for passengers to ban the use of the cell phones for drivers of buses, taxis and other commercial vehicles starting in middle of this month.

"The current limited ban in Seoul and Pusan for self-restriction on the use of cell phones by drivers of commercial vehicles has flaws, as problems have surfaced concerning the vehicles with plates issued by other cities falling through the cracks,¡± a source on the committee said. ¡°As such, a nationwide ban is necessary."