1. Introduction to the text
This article discusses a case where a bus driver was found not guilty of causing the death of a pedestrian who was crossing the street illegally. The article provides details about the incident and the reasons behind the court’s decision.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 무단횡단 | mudanhoengtdan | crossing the street illegally | The pedestrian was crossing the street illegally when the bus driver hit them. |
| 치어 | chie-eo | to hit (someone) | The bus driver hit the pedestrian who was crossing the street illegally. |
| 숨지게 | sumjige | to cause someone’s death | The pedestrian who was hit by the bus died as a result. |
| 시내버스 | sinaebeo-seu | city bus | The incident involved a city bus driver hitting a pedestrian. |
| 혐의 | hyeomui | charge, accusation | The bus driver was charged with causing the pedestrian’s death. |
| 무죄 | mujeoe | not guilty | The court ultimately found the bus driver not guilty of the charges. |
| 제한속도 | jehan-sokdo | speed limit | The bus driver was traveling within the speed limit at the time of the incident. |
| 인지 | ingji | to recognize, to be aware of | The investigation showed the bus driver recognized the pedestrian in time but could not stop in time. |
| 반응 시간 | baneung sigan | reaction time | The bus driver’s reaction time was faster than the average driver’s, according to the investigation. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
대전지법 형사9단독 고영식 판사는 교통사고처리특례법상 치사 혐의로 기소된 시내버스 기사 A씨에게 무죄를 선고했다고 29일 밝혔습니다.
The judge at the Daejeon District Court’s Criminal Division 9 Single Judge Panel announced on the 29th that he had found the city bus driver A not guilty of the charge of causing death through a traffic accident.
A씨는 지난 4월 24일 오전 9시 50분쯤 대전 중구의 한 교차로 편도 4차로에서 무단횡단하던 보행자 65살 B씨를 치어 숨지게 한 혐의로 재판에 넘겨졌습니다.
A was brought to trial for hitting and killing a 65-year-old pedestrian, B, who was crossing the street illegally at an intersection with four lanes in the Jung-gu district of Daejeon around 9:50 a.m. on April 24th.
당시 A씨는 제한속도가 시속 50km인 도로에서 시속 21km로 정상 운행하는 등 교통법규를 준수한 것으로 조사됐습니다.
The investigation found that A was driving at 21 km/h, within the 50 km/h speed limit, and was following traffic laws at the time.
또 국립과학수사연구원 감정에서도 A씨가 B씨를 인지한 시점으로부터 충격한 시점까지의 시차가 0.87초로 일반적인 운전자의 인지 반응 시간(1초)보다 짧았던 사실이 확인됐습니다.
Additionally, the National Forensic Service’s analysis confirmed that the time difference between when A recognized B and when the impact occurred was 0.87 seconds, which is shorter than the average driver’s reaction time of 1 second.
이에 따라 법원은 A씨에게 무죄를 선고했습니다. 법원은 A씨가 교통법규를 준수하며 정상적으로 운전하고 있었고, 사고 당시 인지 반응 시간도 평균보다 빨랐다고 판단했습니다.
Accordingly, the court found A not guilty. The court determined that A was driving normally and following traffic laws, and that his reaction time at the time of the accident was faster than average.
이번 사건을 계기로 무단횡단의 위험성과 운전자의 주의 의무에 대한 사회적 논의가 더욱 필요할 것으로 보입니다.
This incident highlights the need for further social discussion on the dangers of illegal crossing and the duty of care for drivers.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- Why was the bus driver found not guilty in this case?
- What was the speed limit and the bus driver’s actual speed at the time of the incident?
- How did the bus driver’s reaction time compare to the average driver’s reaction time?
- What was the age of the pedestrian who was hit and killed?
- What does this case suggest about the need for more discussion on the responsibilities of both pedestrians and drivers?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This case highlights the complexities involved in traffic accidents, particularly when a pedestrian is crossing the street illegally. The court’s decision to find the bus driver not guilty reflects the importance of considering factors such as the driver’s adherence to traffic laws and reaction time, rather than simply assigning blame. This case may prompt further discussions in Korean society about improving road safety and the shared responsibilities of pedestrians and drivers.