The number of accidents involving elderly drivers in Seongnam has surged by 145% over the past decade, sparking concerns about traffic safety. According to data from the Seongnam Police Department, the number of accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older in Seongnam increased from 127 in 2013 to 312 in 2022. By type of accident, the number of elderly drivers involved in single-vehicle accidents was 184, the number of those involved in two-vehicle accidents was 114, and the number of those involved in accidents with pedestrians was 14. The police analyzed that the main causes of accidents involving elderly drivers were violation of traffic rules (169 cases), such as failing to yield, and careless driving (87 cases), such as misjudging the distance. The police plan to conduct a campaign to prevent accidents involving elderly drivers, including distributing promotional materials and operating traffic safety education for elderly drivers. The police also plan to provide a special discount on vehicle inspection and repair costs for elderly drivers who complete traffic safety education. Seongnam City has a high proportion of elderly residents, with 14.2% of the population aged 65 and older as of 2021, which is higher than the national average of 13.8%. The police emphasized that "it is necessary to take measures to prevent accidents involving elderly drivers, considering the high proportion of elderly residents in Seongnam."
A study by the Seongnam City Research Institute found that traffic accidents caused by drivers aged 65 and above in Seongnam City increased by 145% over the past 10 years. The number of accidents rose from 308 to 756, with 36.8% of last year's traffic fatalities in the city attributed to elderly drivers. The study suggests that tailored measures, rather than simple driving restrictions, are needed to address the issue.
The researcher proposed four strategies, including providing regular traffic points for elderly drivers who give up their licenses and supporting the installation of safety devices in vehicles. The study also recommends improving road environments and providing alternative transportation services for elderly drivers who can no longer drive.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
