South Korea plans to impose fines ranging from 30,000 won ($25.6) to 70,000 won on drivers caught watching a dashboard-mounted television while driving, officials said Thursday.
Officials laid out the plan at an economic policy meeting presided over by President Lee Myung-bak earlier in the day. The current law prohibits drivers from watching television while driving, but there is no penalty.
The plan came about two months after three professional cyclists were killed when a cargo truck driver, while watching TV on a navigation device, crashed into them on a road in Euiseong County, southeastern South Korea.
Drivers often watch TV programs and other entertainment on mobile devices that use digital multimedia broadcasting technology.
After the incident, police said they would propose a new law that will require all mobile devices fitted with DMB services to block broadcast signals when the car is in motion.
