6/16 Talk about things to be aware of when driving in Korea.

When driving in Korea, you always have to buckle up. If not, you may be subject to a fine. Passengers are also required to put their seatbelts on.

* buckle up / put one’s seatbelt on: 안전벨트를 하다

ex> Passengers are also required to put their seatbelts on.

ex> I always buckle up before I start the engine.

There are bus-only lanes that are marked in blue. These lanes are off-limits to regular vehicles.

* off-limits to: 접근이 금지된

ex> The place is off-limits to those under 19.

Drivers in Korea blink their hazards to say sorry or thank you.

* blink one’s hazards: 비상등을 깜박이다

ex> Blinking one’s hazards is part of Korea’s unique traffic culture.

NOTE> hazards (= emergency lights) 비상등, blinkers (= signal lights) 방향등, 깜빡이

They typically do this when they make a lane change. Hazard lights are also used to warn cars behind you of a sudden problem ahead. Plus, there are many traffic cameras in Korea. These cameras catch drivers who are speeding. They also catch those who violate traffic signals or who have parked illegally.

* violate a traffic signal / traffic signals: 교통신호를 위반하다

ex> It was the first time for me to violate traffic signal.

Also, it is against the law to enter a congested intersection when the traffic light turns yellow.

* be against the law: 법률 위반이다

ex> Gender discrimination is against the law.

@ Can you step on it?  좀 밟을 수 있니?

<HOMEWORK>

1. You have to always buckle up for safety.

2. I blinked my hazards in the dark to show where I was.

3. He violates the signals very often.

4. Sexual harassment is definitely against the law.

@ Related Topics>> Driving in Korea (2011.5.25) Driving in Korea (2010.10.13)

5/25 Talk about what it's like driving in Korea.

One thing that many non-Koreans notice is the aggressiveness of drivers in Korea.
ex> Did you notice her aggressiveness that comes out every now and then?

There are many pushy drivers that will attempt to merge into your lane despite the lack of space.
* merge into a lane (= cut in)
* pushy: 밀어붙이는
ex> Just be nice and let others merge into your lane.

A lot of people are dead set on not letting anyone into their lanes.
* be dead set on: 기필코 ~하려고 하다.
* let someone into one's lane: 끼어드는 차에 양보해 주다.
ex> I'm dead set on buying this dress regardless of how expensive it is.

You have to aggressively cut in otherwise you'll miss your trun or exit.

You may get honked at, high beamed, or tailgated.
* honk: 경적을 울리다.
* tailgate: 뒤에 바짝 따라붙다.
ex> I changed lanes after I realized I was being tailgated by the driver behind me.

These tendencies can be worse during rush hour when the traffic becomes insane.
ex> The weather has become insane with global warming.

Some say that these driving habits are a result of a nation that has developed rapidly in as short time span.

It's important to not let the road conditions get you on edge.
* get somebody on edge: ~을 예민하게 만들다.

@ I can't wait to break it in.  빨리 직접 한번 사용해 보고 싶어.

10/13 Talk about some rules you should be aware of when driving in Korea.

Generally speaking, the driving rules in Korea are similar to those in other parts of the world. Safety is of ultimate importance and drivers who don’t buckle up are subject to a fine. There are also rules against entering a congested intersection when the light turns yellow. There are also bus-only lanes marked in blue, which are off-limits for/to regular vehicles. One thing that may be different from other countries is the usage of hazard lights. Drivers in Korea blink their hazards a few times after a lane change to thank the driver behind them for letting them in. Hazard lights can also be flashed to warn cars behind you of a sudden stop or problem ahead. Another driving etiquette in Korea, that’s also common elsewhere, is to avoid honking your horn in residential areas.

Drivers who don’t buckle up are subject to a fine.
* buckle up  안전벨트를 매다
  ex> People who break this law are subject to a prison term.

There are also rules against entering a congested intersection when the light turns yellow(orange).


There are also bus-only lanes marked in blue, which are off-limits for/to regular vehicles.
  ex> Bus-only lanes are off-limits for regular vehicles.

Drivers in Korea blink their hazards a few times after a lane change.
* hazard light  (=hazards)  비상등      
                                   
Hazard lights can also be flashed to warn cars behind you of a sudden stop or problem ahead.


@  The food will go to waste.  음식 다 버리게 될거야.

be similar to  ~와 유사하다                                                
buckle up  안전벨트를 매다

be subject to  ~의 적용 대상이다                                        
congested intersection  정체된 교차로

bus-only lane  버스 전용 차선                                            
be off-limits for/to  접근이 금지된다

hazard light  (=hazards)  비상등                                         
blink  깜빡이다

let someone in  ~을 끼워주다                                            
flash  번쩍이게 하다

sudden stop  급정거                                                        
honk one’s horn  경적을 울리다

residential area  주거 지역