It seems that the only vehicles in Korea that can blow its sirens and speed through traffic are the freakin' tow trucks. Have you seen these maniacs? They are often just parked illegally somewhere (usually congesting traffic) and just waiting for a chance to get some business. And when they're driving is when they are the most dangerous. I drive a motorcycle here in Seoul and I can't count how many times those assholes have almost run me off the road.
Since it has been cold here in Korea I haven't been driving, and somewhat forgotten about the hell they've caused. But just tonight I was leaving a bar near my house and noticed an accident at Kyobo Tower Intersection (aka Shin Non Hyeon Station). Within minutes 9 (or more) tow trucks came on the scene - just to move a couple of cars that could have easily been pushed to the side of the road awaiting a more safely-driven tow truck (that could have arrived a whole two minutes later).
The number of tow trucks wasn't what caught my eye, but rather the way they were acting: they raced throughout the intersection, squeeling tires and making skid-marks, all while trying to get the best spot to tow the cars. The trucks who lost "the battle" just skidded out of the intersection (just nearly missing other cars) and leaving nothing behind except a cloud of smelly burned rubber. Through their exits, the tow trucks jetted through red lights and jumped onto the shoulders - nearly missing other cars and unaware pedestrians.
Why do they do this? Do they try and beat the competition there to get the business? How many accidents do they cause by blazing to an accident - or worse: leaving an accident scene?? I should have taken a video but it was too cold outside for my hands to be exposed to the elements. It's like one would rather opt to take a tow truck to the hospital than an ambulance! In America, all cars, bicycles, and pedestrians must move out of the way to allow an emergency vehicle (in an emergency situation - "sirens") to pass; otherwise you'll be fined. Tow trucks are not emergency vehicles.
The Korean government should seriously look into this problem that tow truck drivers create in this country. They should create a better system for allowing certain tow trucks to arrive at accidents; for example, a simple dispatch system. This may seem awkward but even in large metropolitan areas in America, there are private ambulance services; to make sure that 5+ different companies don't arrive at the same accident scene trying to earn the transport business, the private ambulances are dispatched.
Furthermore, it just shouldn't be allowed for ANY non-emergency vehicle (that includes tow trucks) to run red lights and completely disobey all traffic rules. Most of the infractions I've seen tow trucks make are when they are not going to an accident, but rather when they are just fucking around.... I know this cuz one day when I was bored, and it was sunny, I followed some of them on my bike. Next summer I'll take my camera with me.
While trying to do a quick search to see if anyone have noticed this (of course who wouldn't have), I found one forum where some people made some comments: http://www.usfkforums.com/the-lounge/29062-korean-tow-trucks.htm