정부·기업의 ‘직무 유기’가 이륜차 사망 부른다 [왜냐면]

The year 2004 saw the loss of over 4,500 lives and 30,000 injuries due to accidents involving motorbikes, according to data from the Traffic Accident Analysis System. Despite this, accidents involving motorbikes continue to occur year after year, claiming the lives of around 450 people and leaving 30,000 with injuries. While the overall number of deaths in traffic accidents has decreased since the 1990s, the rate of deaths involving motorbikes has been steadily increasing.

In 2013, the number of total traffic deaths was 5,092, which dropped to 2,551 a decade later in 2023. Meanwhile, deaths caused by motorbike accidents have remained around 400 to 500 annually. Consequently, the proportion of motorbike accidents within the total traffic deaths has risen from about 10% a decade ago to over 20% in recent years.

This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for reform in both the country's licensing system and in the practices of delivery platform companies. The current licensing system permits the operation of motorbikes with just a 4-wheel vehicle license, while the United States, Europe, and Japan have strict requirements for obtaining a separate license and undergoing independent training.

The rigid structure of motorbikes, lacking a chassis and featuring a "counter steering" system, makes them inherently dangerous and unsuitable for safe operation without proper training. In contrast, the structure of cars is much more straightforward and easier to control. Allowing motorbike licenses to be used for operating motorbikes effectively equates to a serious breach of duty.

The 1970s Heart Report from the University of Southern California California revealed that drivers with a regular license are 2.85 times more likely to be involved in motorbike accidents, and those trained by friends are 3.4 times more likely. Japan, with its 10 million motorbike owners, strictly enforces a ban on operating 2-wheel vehicles without a proper license and mandates rigorous practical training.

As a result, Japan records only 500 annual deaths and 20,000 injuries, significantly lower than the 450 deaths and 30,000 injuries in South Korea. Untrained riders, armed with little knowledge, are now as vulnerable as passengers on a moving train, facing a higher risk of death. The reckless algorithms employed by delivery platform companies exacerbate the situation, creating a highly addictive interface that drives drivers to take extreme risks.

Despite the physical injuries suffered, many continue to venture back to the scene of the disaster, driven by the insatiable dopamine rush. The companies exploit the psychological vulnerability of young riders, pocketing substantial profits while shifting the costs of accidents and rehabilitation to the national health insurance system.

To put an end to this ongoing tragedy, both the licensing system and the practices of delivery platform companies must be changed simultaneously. The government must immediately abolish the flawed licensing system, separate the licenses for 4-wheel and 2-wheel vehicles, and enforce practical training laws. Delivery platform companies must introduce safety incentives, such as prioritized call assignments and increased compensation for riders who complete mandatory training, to curb the addictive nature of the job.

This reform, prioritizing the physical laws of machines and the protection of human life, is not only a moral obligation but also a sound financial strategy that can save lives, reduce medical expenses, and generate significant economic benefits for the platform companies.