General driving stuff
The best tip you can be given is keep your eyes open and your wits about you!
Expect the unexpected... all the time and you'll be fine ;-)
For very precise information on how to drive in Jeju, follow this link.
Expect the unexpected... all the time and you'll be fine ;-)
For very precise information on how to drive in Jeju, follow this link.
Quick Guide
- You drive on the right (same as the USA)
- You can turn right on a red light if all is clear (same as the USA), unless otherwise indicated.
- You can ONLY TURN LEFT ON A GREEN ARROW THAT INDICATES TURNING LEFT! NEVER turn left on a green light that indicates drive straight on.
- U-turns are very popular and are legally done at most major intersections - there is hook like arrow symbol and a dashed line on the road, as well as a road sign in a red circle to indicate U-turns. If a U-turn is not allow the red circle sign will have a line through it. You should execute a U-turn on a green arrow that indicates turning left, as for the above. ... unless you can read Korean and can read the hanging sign under a light that basically says "You can do a U-turn now when there is a green light but no left-pointing green arrow if the road is clear... BUT... if you get into an accident... it's all on you buddy! Don't go crying to a policeman because they'll take the side of the car that was using the main carriage way, because you didn't have a green arrow! Oh, and your insurance probably won't cover you BTW."
- Roundabouts - A lot of drivers don't know how to use these - expect anything. Seriously.
- There's a lot of confusion about how to use a roundabout. Allegedly, if you go to try to pass your driving test here on Jeju, the rule says you should give way to the oncoming traffic on the left (In the UK cars give way to traffic on the right, but the concept is YOU GIVE WAY TO TRAFFIC ALREADY ON THE ROUNDABOUT).
- However, there is a lot of stopping while on the roundabout to let someone in from the right... this causes blockages and accidents, but they just don't seem to get it. (Sigh!)
- If ever you get in a pickle with someone on a roundabout, you can always point out that there are no 'give way' road markings ON the roundabout... they are on the road as you enter the roundabout. Sigh!
- Tourists (and some of the locals) will do some rather 'interesting things', like go through a red light, park on the median, park on a roundabout, etc... expect anything!
- Look out for this symbol on a car's license plate - click on the photos for a clearer view.
This symbol means the car is a rental car, and is probably being driven by someone who a) is not from Jeju, and b) may not be completely familiar with the road rules on the island! In other words... Beware! Expect anything!
- EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS ON A CAR - you know the ones you put on by pressing the button on your dashboard or console that has a big red triangle on it? You know, the ones you put on in an emergency? Well, drivers here use them for just about anything! It's really confusing. (If they park illegally... if they just got in the car and are about to reverse... if they are about to join the main traffic... if they are about to reverse onto a 4-lane carriage way... if they are overtaking a long line of traffic... sometimes for no real discernible reason... they will throw on their emergency lights! BEWARE!)
- SPEED LIMITS - Unless otherwise stated, most usual speed limits are: -
- 4 lane roads (two lanes going each way) - 80 km/p/h
- 2 lane roads (one lane going each way) - 60 km/p/h
- in the city - 40 km/p/h
- Speed limits drop considerably near schools - usually to 50 km/p/h on 4 lane roads, and 30 km/p/h on 2 lane roads
- Interesting fact - The speed limit on Global Edu-ro (the road outside Gates 1 and 2 at BHA) is 30 km/p/h... But be prepared for not many people taking notice of this. It's a long road, and even with the ever present speed bumps, the temptation to break the sound barrier is too much for some... especially construction trucks, buses, and taxis... and the occasional privately owned car.
- Speed bumps are every where - and BEWARE!! There are also fake speed bumps. Both are usually painted in yellow and white stripes. However, the weather conditions being what they are, the markings sometime fade. You eventually will get used to where the real ones are (e.g. before you enter a roundabout; before a main entrance to a venue). And they are everywhere!
- The BLUE LINE road marking in the city - this delineates a Bus lane, or lane for vehicles with more than 9 people. Not sure what happens if you are caught driving in it, as it is usually the right hand lane of the carriage way, and it is used for right turns.
- About that right hand lane - in a big city, if you are driving on a two-lane-each-way road you will only really want to be in the right hand if you are going to turn right. Buses stop in that right-hand lane, cars park to drop off and pick up, you can never tell if a car is going to be moving, or if it's parked... it's a hot mess. There will be times when you can't help being in the right-hand lane, so just be aware of potential issues.
- ALSO, BEWARE BEING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AT A RED (TRAFFIC) LIGHT IF YOU WANT TO GO STRAIGHT ON. People expect to be able to turn right on a red light. You can often hear a car horn or two blasting the driver who is blocking the turning right flow ;-) However, sometimes you can't help but be in that lane, and you don't want to turn right... if that's the case, do the local thing. Stare straight ahead, do not make eye contact, and pretend you can't hear/see anything. ;-)
- Traffic lights work as they do elsewhere - but because some flash and some don't, all along the same stretch of road, it can be confusing at first to know which ones you are supposed to obey. You will get used to this however. (SEE BELOW)
Traffic lights
These can be a little confusing to the new person to Jeju. Sometimes they behave as you would expect, sometimes they flash constantly, sometimes they don't, sometimes they flash orange, sometimes they flash red...
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!
In Jeju City or Seogwipo, the lights tend to work as normal. Most big towns are not affected by the flashing traffic light syndrome.
In the more rural areas most traffic lights are mostly flashing orange lights. This leads to some interesting driving and non-compliance of speed limits by all and sundry, so be aware of drivers either driving like they are training for the F1, or driving at a snail's pace.
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Around the GEC, there is an additional timed aspect to consider.
The road between KIS and SJA directly opposite Raon is a nightmare during these times. Avoid this road if at all possible during the above times, and choose any of the other parallel roads that will get you to/from Gueok-ri and Global Edu-ro.
The lights on the road that takes you to the front entrance of BHA (Gate 1 - Global Edu-ro, or Global Edu Road), flash permanently.... for now.
It is more than possible than when the other schools being built are up and running the lights will behave in the normal fashion.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!
- RED FLASHING LIGHTS - proceed with caution if all is clear (Stop and roll?)
- ORANGE FLASHING LIGHTS - traffic light not working (Expect anything!)
In Jeju City or Seogwipo, the lights tend to work as normal. Most big towns are not affected by the flashing traffic light syndrome.
In the more rural areas most traffic lights are mostly flashing orange lights. This leads to some interesting driving and non-compliance of speed limits by all and sundry, so be aware of drivers either driving like they are training for the F1, or driving at a snail's pace.
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Around the GEC, there is an additional timed aspect to consider.
- In the morning - around taking kids to school times, about 7:30-9:00 am
- In the afternoon - kids' pick-up/going home time, about 3:30-5:00 pm
The road between KIS and SJA directly opposite Raon is a nightmare during these times. Avoid this road if at all possible during the above times, and choose any of the other parallel roads that will get you to/from Gueok-ri and Global Edu-ro.
The lights on the road that takes you to the front entrance of BHA (Gate 1 - Global Edu-ro, or Global Edu Road), flash permanently.... for now.
It is more than possible than when the other schools being built are up and running the lights will behave in the normal fashion.
Speed cameras
These are everywhere. Some are live, some are dummies. It is best to go at the speed limit signposted on the road, because unless you have a GPS in your car that is able to alert you to the live ones, you can't tell which is which with your naked eye.
On the highways there are also little huts with speed cameras inside them... sometimes. You won't know if they are there until you are right at them. And if they have cameras in them it will be too late to slow down when you DO spot that camera.
FYI - YOU WILL GET SPEEDING TICKETS... the Jeju traffic police do not mess around! These fines will appear in your school mail-box as a smallish yellow letter. See this link (scroll to the bottom) for more info on speeding tickets.
You get points on your license as well as be made to pay a fine. If you amass too many points, your licence can and will be suspended.
A teacher in fact did get their licence suspended and was not allowed to drive again.
It is limiting not being able to drive if you are used to driving and being independent. Bear this in mind ;-)
The fine depends on how many KM/P/H over the limit a car is clocked as being. (somewhere in the region of 30,000-40,000KW for the first fine, and they get heavier the second time around, etc..,).
"Ah... but does this really happen?", I hear you ask.
Yes. It does.
(sigh!)
On the highways there are also little huts with speed cameras inside them... sometimes. You won't know if they are there until you are right at them. And if they have cameras in them it will be too late to slow down when you DO spot that camera.
FYI - YOU WILL GET SPEEDING TICKETS... the Jeju traffic police do not mess around! These fines will appear in your school mail-box as a smallish yellow letter. See this link (scroll to the bottom) for more info on speeding tickets.
You get points on your license as well as be made to pay a fine. If you amass too many points, your licence can and will be suspended.
A teacher in fact did get their licence suspended and was not allowed to drive again.
It is limiting not being able to drive if you are used to driving and being independent. Bear this in mind ;-)
The fine depends on how many KM/P/H over the limit a car is clocked as being. (somewhere in the region of 30,000-40,000KW for the first fine, and they get heavier the second time around, etc..,).
"Ah... but does this really happen?", I hear you ask.
Yes. It does.
(sigh!)
Parking violations
The general rules are: -
- only park where you are allowed to park - there are frequent fines sent out.
- Cameras are everywhere... on top of traffic lights, on top of buildings,
everywhere.
- follow the rules and sign posts
- do what the locals do! If they park on one side of the road and not the other,
there's a reason for that. Follow their lead, but also use your own parking
knowledge, common sense, and experience.
There are fines for parking violations. These fines will appear in your school mail-box as a different smallish yellow letter - almost exactly like a speeding fine notice. You get points on your license for this violation as well for speeding, and there will a fine involved (the first begins at around 40,000 KW, and gets increasingly heavier). If you amass too many points your licence can and will be suspended.
"Ah... but does this REALLY happen?", I hear you ask again.
Yes. It does.
(double sigh!)
- only park where you are allowed to park - there are frequent fines sent out.
- Cameras are everywhere... on top of traffic lights, on top of buildings,
everywhere.
- follow the rules and sign posts
- do what the locals do! If they park on one side of the road and not the other,
there's a reason for that. Follow their lead, but also use your own parking
knowledge, common sense, and experience.
There are fines for parking violations. These fines will appear in your school mail-box as a different smallish yellow letter - almost exactly like a speeding fine notice. You get points on your license for this violation as well for speeding, and there will a fine involved (the first begins at around 40,000 KW, and gets increasingly heavier). If you amass too many points your licence can and will be suspended.
"Ah... but does this REALLY happen?", I hear you ask again.
Yes. It does.
(double sigh!)
Paying your car tax
If you own your own car and choose not to lease, a smallish yellow letter will appear in your mailbox (often confused for a speeding or parking violation notice - the colour yellow seems to be a preferred colour for such things).
You pay this easily by a direct bank-to-bank transfer either through your online banking or by going to the bank and asking them to help you.
It can be quite disconcerting when you see one of these in your mailbox. They do look remarkably like the fine notices!
If you lease, this is taken care of for you by the leasing company, and is part of the high KRW price you pay for not having to worry about such things.
You pay this easily by a direct bank-to-bank transfer either through your online banking or by going to the bank and asking them to help you.
It can be quite disconcerting when you see one of these in your mailbox. They do look remarkably like the fine notices!
If you lease, this is taken care of for you by the leasing company, and is part of the high KRW price you pay for not having to worry about such things.
Police presence
There are not that many police cars around, and that's because the GEC is a safe place. There are a couple of Police Stations in the Moseulpo area, but you never see anybody going in and out of them.
There have been sightings of CHIPS-like pairs of motorcycle cops seen out and about, mainly down on the coast road near the Hey Brother Bar/Cafe/Restaurant, where the Police Station is right next door (no photo evidence has been captured as yet... but we are ever hopeful! :-) )
An interesting fact - Police cars here are required to have their blue and red flashing lights on at all times. So you can spot them from a distance. This means you can slow down before they get you for speeding ;-)
Another thing about Police Car flashing lights - you may see police car flashing lights on highways. Sometimes, these are just lights and not actual police cars. It is a speed reducing strategy that sometimes works.
There have been sightings of CHIPS-like pairs of motorcycle cops seen out and about, mainly down on the coast road near the Hey Brother Bar/Cafe/Restaurant, where the Police Station is right next door (no photo evidence has been captured as yet... but we are ever hopeful! :-) )
An interesting fact - Police cars here are required to have their blue and red flashing lights on at all times. So you can spot them from a distance. This means you can slow down before they get you for speeding ;-)
Another thing about Police Car flashing lights - you may see police car flashing lights on highways. Sometimes, these are just lights and not actual police cars. It is a speed reducing strategy that sometimes works.
Police dummies
Sometimes, mechanised dummies dressed in neon yellow clothing, wearing a police hat and holding a neon red stick, can be seen on the road side. These mechanised dummies will wave the stick up and down. This is another strategy employed to try to help reduce speeding problems on the road, and to alert drivers to a potential road block/road work in process/diversion ahead type thing.
Look out for them ;-)
Look out for them ;-)
Being stopped for a breathaliser test
This happens mainly in the bigger towns and cities, but has also happened in the small village (called Boseong) that you go through on the way to Moseulpo . Police will usually stop all traffic and breathalise each and every driver.
You will be asked to roll down your window and blow into a machine, usually from your driver's seat. Police officers are usually very polite.
You will be asked to roll down your window and blow into a machine, usually from your driver's seat. Police officers are usually very polite.