Expansion of 'One-Stop Service' for Voluntary Surrender of Elderly Driver's Licenses
Implemented in 123 Cities and Counties Nationwide
91% Increase in Surrenders During July Pilot Operation
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The voluntary surrender of driver's licenses by elderly drivers, which used to take up to 40 days, will now be completed within a day. By simply visiting a nearby community center, individuals can complete the license surrender and receive incentives such as transportation subsidies all at once.
On the 4th, the National Police Agency announced that it will expand the "one-stop service" for voluntary surrender of driver's licenses by elderly drivers. With this expansion, in 123 cities, counties, and districts nationwide, it is now possible to surrender a license and receive incentives within one day of applying.
According to the Road Traffic Authority's Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS), traffic accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older sharply increased over the past three years: 26,713 cases in 2017, 30,012 in 2018, and 33,239 last year. Elderly drivers tend to have reduced cognitive and reaction speeds, increasing the likelihood of major accidents when involved in crashes.
In response, the police and local governments have encouraged elderly drivers to voluntarily surrender their licenses as part of efforts to reduce traffic accidents. Incentives such as transportation subsidies are provided upon surrender. However, due to complicated procedures, the process took time, and since license surrender was handled at police stations while incentives were distributed by local governments, applicants had to visit two different agencies, causing inconvenience.
To resolve this, in March of this year, the police simplified administrative procedures to complete the license surrender on the day of application. They also established a linked system between the National Police Agency and local governments to enable the "one-stop service," allowing license surrender and incentive application to be processed at community centers in a single visit. In fact, during a pilot operation in Seoul throughout July, 3,554 elderly drivers surrendered their licenses, marking a 91.9% increase compared to the same period last year (1,852 people).
Elderly drivers wishing to voluntarily surrender their licenses can simply fill out and submit an application form at a community center. The surrender is completed through a computerized system linked with the National Police Agency, after which incentives are provided. The police have expanded the one-stop service to 123 cities, counties, and districts nationwide starting this month. However, 79 cities and counties, including Daegu and Gwangju, will implement the service after January next year, reflecting incentive budget considerations. A police official stated, "With the one-stop service greatly improving the convenience for elderly drivers wishing to surrender their licenses, we expect the number of voluntary surrenders to increase."
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