'미세먼지 특별법' 전면시행...노후 차량 운행 제한 효과는?
Koreans have been seeing gloomy skies for some time, and wearing facemasks has become the norm in recent months.
To improve air quality, the government has been stepping up efforts to tackle the pollution.
Starting today... a special act is in effect to reduce fine dust emissions.
Hong Yoo outlines the measures implemented. .
The special fine dust reduction act in effect from Friday... ban old diesel cars from the roads on days when the average density of ultrafine dust is above 50 micrograms per cubic meter for two consecutive days.
Those caught driving a diesel car registered before December 2005 will be fined around 100 U.S. dollars. There are detection devices on certain major roads,... and this time the ban will be enforced in all 17 cities and provinces.
This is a junkyard in Gyeonggi-do Province and it's full of old cars ready for scrapping.
Most of these cars have been registered for early scrapping as the government plans to expand its range of regulated vehicles to include old diesel and petrol cars starting from June 1st in order to curb pollution.
"About 15 old diesel cars get scrapped every day here. That's about 15 percent more than before the government started this plan to reduce fine dust."
But getting rid of an old car to get a new one is not only a pain -- it costs money.
To help people, the government is offering financial support in the form of a subsidy for a new car... or a device that can be attached to reduce emissions.
If buying a new car is a problem, then the second option might be good since the government pays for 90 percent of the device.
The environment ministry says this special act can reduce fine dust by 19,000 tons a year, but there are some doubts.
"The problem is… the exhaust-reducing device only works for three years. To keep it working longer requires a checkup from time to time. The government needs to help in this regard in terms of money and technology."
This year, the environment ministry expects the fine dust emergency measures will be issued about nine times, so it's important that drivers stay up to date.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
