'Traffic Accident Risk High Among Elderly Aged 65 and Over'

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] It has been pointed out that urgent measures are needed as the proportion of elderly people among traffic accident fatalities accounts for more than half.

On the 28th, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority analyzed traffic accident data from 2016 to 2018 over three years and found that 53.6% of pedestrian traffic accident fatalities were elderly people aged 65 or older. The proportion of elderly among the deceased is also on the rise. In 2016, this ratio was 50.5%, but it increased to 54.1% in 2017 and 56.6% in 2018.

In particular, in rural areas, the proportion of elderly among total pedestrian traffic accident fatalities exceeded 60%. The share, which was 59.9% in 2016, rose to 66.0% the following year, and accounted for 63.7% in 2018.

Elderly traffic accident deaths were analyzed to occur mainly while crossing roads during evening hours. About 57.7%, or 486, of elderly pedestrian fatalities occurred while crossing the road. By time of day, these accidents were concentrated more in early morning or evening hours rather than during the daytime. Especially in rural areas with insufficient road lighting facilities, 40% of elderly fatal traffic accidents occurred between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Accordingly, the Authority plans to continuously promote the urban speed policy 'Safe Speed 5030' in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the National Police Agency. Safe Speed 5030 means lowering the basic speed limit within cities to 50 km/h, while designating it as 30 km/h around residential areas and protection zones for children, the elderly, and the disabled.

Kwon Byung-yoon, Director of the Authority, said, "As aging intensifies, the importance of establishing safety measures for elderly pedestrians is increasing," and urged, "Drivers should remember that once they get out of their cars, they are pedestrians too, and drive safely by reducing speed."