An empty road or a designated turning lane may seem like a reason to skip signaling. But South Korean traffic rules make no exception for the absence of other vehicles.
Under Article 38 of South Korea's Road Traffic Act, drivers must signal when turning left or right, making a U-turn or changing lanes, even in designated turning lanes.
Still, many drivers do not see the need to signal. A 2019 survey of 600 drivers by the Korea Road Traffic Authority found that 40 percent had skipped signaling because other vehicles were absent or too far away. Another 24.3 percent saw no need to signal when following traffic lights or designated lanes, while 15.1 percent found it bothersome.
Police began a three-month crackdown on turn signal violations in October. Drivers of passenger vehicles already face a 30,000-won ($22) fine, with an additional 10-point demerit penalty under consideration for mid-2027.
Even on an empty road, drivers are still required to signal.
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