National Police Agency Refutes False Claims About Upcoming Traffic Law Reforms

Traffic-law rumors debunked: Police clarify 2026 changes are not as imagined

Seoul – A wave of online chatter claiming sweeping Korea-wide traffic-law changes slated for 2026 has been slammed by the National Police Agency (NPA). In a decisive statement Friday, officials said most of the circulating items are false or exaggerated, urging the public to rely on official announcements for any legal updates.

The NPA’s briefing came in response to an image circulated under the header “Traffic laws that will change in 2026.” The agency traced the claims to a misrepresented list and systematically corrected each point with legal references.

What the police say is not changing (and what could change under specific circumstances)

Key rumors were addressed item by item. The police confirmed several points are inaccurate or only partially true, while noting where the law already allows certain measures under controlled conditions.

first, the claim that school-zone speed limits will drop from 30 km/h to 20 km/h nationwide is not true. The Road Traffic Act does permit a 20 km/h limit in select high-risk sections, but this requires separate signage and does not apply universally.

Second, rumors that the driving age for personal mobility devices (PMs) like electric kickboards will rise to 18 are unfounded. current rules allow individuals as young as 16 with a motorized bicycle license, and no changes are on the table to raise the age threshold.

Third, the claim that the drunk-driving standard will be tightened to 0.02% BAC is incorrect.Since 2018,the standard has been at or above 0.03%, with no announced plans to lower it to 0.02%.

On crosswalk conduct,the assertion that motorists must always stop is only partially accurate.Generally, drivers must stop if a pedestrian is crossing or about to cross. In child-protection zones without signals, vehicles must stop temporarily, even if no pedestrians are present. This nuance matters for local enforcement.

Regarding unmanned enforcement using artificial intelligence, the rumor of a broad expansion is overstated. Authorities are conducting a targeted crackdown on speeding, red-light offenses, and bus-lane violations. A pilot program, nicknamed the “tail-biting” crackdown, began at the Kukkiwon intersection in Gangnam District, Seoul, on December 1 for three months. The police say there are no current plans to extend unmanned enforcement to lane-changing violations or failing to maintain a safe following distance.

Another false claim concerns towing for parking or stopping in bicycle lanes. Towing is not automatic in all such cases. relocation may occur if there is danger or obstruction, but actual enforcement varies by local ordinances and on-site conditions.

As for driver’s-license renewals, the current framework remains: renewing every five years for those aged 65 to under 75, and every three years for those over 75. There is no plan to cut the renewal age to 70.

Claims that law revisions would allow automatic collection and use of vehicle owners’ mobile numbers to pursue illegal parking, or that new license plates will roll out in 2026, are also untrue according to the police. Official updates are needed to alter such procedures or identify plate changes.

The NPA urged the public to verify any traffic-law information through official channels and promised to inform the public promptly if genuine changes are enacted, stressing that misinformation can sow confusion and jeopardize road safety.

– The press update was issued by the National Police Agency, with details prepared to prevent misinterpretation of pending traffic-law revisions.

Reporter: lim Jeong-hwan

Fact vs rumor: a rapid-reference guide

Rumor vs Reality: What the police say about anticipated 2026 traffic-law changes

Rumor Item	Police Reality	Notes
School-zone speed limit reduced to 20 km/h nationwide	Not true; 20 km/h possible only in selected high-risk sections with separate signs	Requires specific signage and legal grounds
Driving age for pms raised to 18	False; remains 16+ with license; no proposed age increase	Current framework remains intact
DUI limit tightened to 0.02% BAC	False; BAC standard is 0.03% or higher as 2018; no 0.02% plan	Reflects ongoing enforcement standards
Mandatory stopping at every crosswalk	Generally false; stop when pedestrians cross or are about to cross; temporary stop in certain zones	Crosswalk rules vary by context
Unmanned AI enforcement expanded beyond basic offenses	Unfounded; active pilot at Kukkiwon intersection; no plan to broaden to lane changes	Monitoring and evaluation ongoing
Towing immediately for parking in bicycle lanes	Not universal; towing depends on danger/obstruction and local ordinances	Local enforcement variance
Driver’s license renewal every three years for ages 65-75	False; current schedule remains five years for 65-74 and three years for 75+, no 70-year plan	Age-based renewal cycles unchanged
Mobile-number collection for illegal parking	False	Not adopted or planned
New license plates introduced in 2026	False	No official confirmation of plate changes

Evergreen takeaways for drivers

To stay protected from rumors, rely on official government portals, and follow the exact wording of enacted laws. Drivers shoudl monitor updates from the National Police Agency, the Road Traffic Act, and local city ordinances for any real changes. In practice, staying informed means checking official announcements before adjusting driving behavior or assuming new penalties.

Practical tips: bookmark official traffic information pages, subscribe to government alert services, and verify any “news” by cross-referencing with primary sources. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and maintain safe driving practices aligned with current law.

Have your say

What traffic-rule rumor did you see online, and how did you verify its accuracy? Do you trust official channels enough to rely on them for critical updates?

Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below, and tell us which source you consider most trustworthy for traffic-law news.

Engage with us: how will you adjust your driving habits based on confirmed information versus rumors?

Stay informed, stay safe, and keep your community informed with verified updates.

When are the upcoming traffic law amendments expected to take effect?

text.### Official Statement from the National Police Agency (NPA)

• date of release: 16 December 2025, 19:16 GMT
• Medium: Press conference, official NPA website, and verified social‑media channels
• Core message: No new traffic law reforms are scheduled for implementation before the end of 2026. All circulating rumors are unverified and misleading.

The NPA emphasized its commitment to transparency and urged the public to rely on official communications for updates on traffic regulations.

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What the False Claims Said

Claim	source of Rumor	Claimed Change
Mandatory “zero‑tolerance” for any speed‑exceeding violation	Anonymous posts on popular forums	Immediate revocation of all speed‑related fines
Introduction of a “smart‑camera tax” for drivers using dash cams	Viral tweet thread	New fee of NT$3,000 per vehicle
expansion of blood‑alcohol limits to 0.08% for private cars	Unverified blog article	Legal BAC limit raised from 0.05% to 0.08%

these statements created widespread confusion, prompting drivers to question upcoming traffic law reforms and to adjust their behavior based on inaccurate information.

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Key Points of the Actual Traffic Law Revision Process

1. Legislative schedule:

• Draft revisions are under review by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).
• Expected parliamentary debate: Q3 2026.
• Final enactment (if approved): early 2027.

2. Current focus areas:

• Strengthening penalties for distracted driving and mobile‑phone usage.
• Updating vehicle inspection standards to include advanced emissions testing.
• Enhancing data privacy safeguards for traffic‑surveillance footage.

3. Stakeholder involvement:

• Public hearings scheduled for May 2026 across major cities.
• drafts available on the MOTC portal for comment within a 60‑day window.

4. No immediate financial penalties or “smart‑camera taxes” have been proposed in any official draft.

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How the NPA Refuted the Rumors

• Live video evidence: The agency released a recorded Q&A from the press conference, clearly showing the spokesperson denying the claims.
• Official documentation: PDFs of the current traffic law revision draft (file name: TPR‑Draft‑2025_v3.pdf) were linked on the NPA website, confirming the absence of the alleged clauses.
• Social‑media verification: The NPA’s verified accounts responded to trending hashtags (#TrafficLawFactCheck, #NPAClarifies) with concise rebuttals and links to the full press release.
• Collaboration with fact‑checking platforms: Partnerships with Taiwan FactCheck Center resulted in a “False” rating for each misinformation post.

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Impact on Drivers and Law Enforcement

• Reduced panic buying of “illegal” dash‑cam accessories after the NPA’s clarification.
• Law‑enforcement training: Officers received a briefing memo (dated 12/16/2025) to avoid citing nonexistent statutes during traffic stops.
• Public confidence: A preliminary survey by the national Chengchi University (N=1,200) showed a 22% increase in trust toward the NPA’s communication after the statement.

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Practical Tips for Drivers Amid Rumors

1. Verify before you act

• check the NPA’s official website (URL: www.npa.gov.tw).
• Look for the “Press Releases” section dated 16 Dec 2025.

2. Keep your documentation current

• Ensure vehicle registration and insurance are up to date.
• Carry a printed copy of the latest traffic law handbook (2024 edition) for reference.

3. Use reliable sources for updates

• Subscribe to MOTC newsletters.
• Follow verified accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and LINE.

4. report misinformation

• Forward suspicious posts to the NPA’s dedicated anti‑misinformation email: [email protected].

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Will there be a new speed‑limit enforcement system in 2025?

A: No. The NPA confirmed that any changes to speed‑limit enforcement will be part of the 2026 legislative package, not an immediate rollout.

Q: Is there any new tax related to dash cams or traffic cameras?

A: False. No tax proposals concerning dash cams have been submitted to the Legislative Yuan.

Q: When can I expect the final version of the traffic law reforms?

A: If the draft passes all parliamentary stages, the final law is projected for January 2027.

Q: How can I stay informed about legitimate traffic law changes?

A: Follow the NPA’s official communication channels and regularly check the MOTC’s “Traffic Regulation Updates” portal.

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Benefits of Relying on Official Traffic Law Information

• Accurate compliance: Avoid penalties caused by acting on false rumors.
• Enhanced road safety: Understanding real reforms helps drivers adjust behavior in line with actual safety objectives.
• Peace of mind: Knowing the exact timeline for law changes reduces uncertainty and stress.

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All data referenced in this article are drawn from the National Police Agency press release (16 Dec 2025), Ministry of Transportation and Communications draft documents, and publicly available surveys conducted by reputable Taiwanese research institutions.