Rapid Increase in Electric Scooter Accidents... 49 Cases in 2016 to 890 in 2019
Dangerous 'Drunk Riding'... Cases of Collisions with Pedestrians
Experts "Regulations Need to Be Improved"
An electric scooter user is riding a scooter on the road. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "'I was startled by an electric scooter zooming past me,' "I'm scared it might hit me."
Recently, as the number of people using electric scooters has increased, there have been social concerns as some ride with two people on one scooter and others use them without any safety gear.
In particular, some people recklessly use electric scooters while intoxicated. Experts point out that strengthening safety measures is urgently needed.
According to Seoul City, as of the end of August, there were 35,850 registered shared electric scooters in Seoul, doubling from about 16,580 units in May within just three months.
Compared to last year, the growth rate is even steeper. At the end of last year, the number of registered scooters in Seoul was about 7,500. This means the market size has grown fivefold in eight months. Including privately owned devices, the actual number is expected to be even higher.
The problem lies in the sharp increase in related accidents. According to the Samsung Traffic Safety Culture Research Institute, the number of reported electric scooter traffic accidents was 49 in 2016, rising to 181 in 2017, 258 in 2018, and 890 in 2019.
Most users do not wear helmets or other safety equipment, and some use scooters to get home after drinking, causing discomfort to pedestrians. Electric scooters are classified as motorized bicycles under the Road Traffic Act, and operating them under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.
Kim (27), an office worker who has occasionally used an electric scooter after drinking, said, "If I can't walk after drinking, I usually take a taxi. But if I feel somewhat okay, I ride the scooter. I think it's not dangerous as long as I don't go fast."
He added, "I mainly use it to get home after meeting friends near my house or when the last train is over. There are no warning signs about drinking, and even if I ride after drinking, it hasn't caused any problems, so I didn't think it was dangerous."
However, using electric scooters after drinking often leads to accidents, both minor and major. On the 22nd of last month in Gwangju Metropolitan City, a man in his 60s who was riding a scooter after drinking hit a pedestrian in his 70s, causing abrasions. The man's blood alcohol concentration was 0.07%, the level for license suspension.
In another case in April near Seomyeon subway station in Busanjin-gu, a woman in her 30s, riding an electric scooter without a helmet or safety gear, collided with a facility while riding about 20 meters on the sidewalk and fell onto the second lane of the road. Her blood alcohol concentration was 0.153%, indicating she was heavily intoxicated.
As a result, public dissatisfaction with so-called "drunk scooter" users is growing.
University student Lee (25) said, "It seems there are no safety measures for electric scooters. Who is responsible for pedestrian safety? There are people riding scooters boldly on narrow sidewalks. Nowadays, I often see two people riding one scooter. What if a serious accident happens?" she expressed her frustration.
She added, "I think scooters are more dangerous than motorcycles these days. Motorcyclists at least wear helmets, but I have never seen anyone wearing protective gear while riding a scooter."
Recently, petitions demanding stricter regulations on electric scooters have been continuously posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture.
On the Blue House National Petition Board, petitions demanding regulations on electric scooter use are continuously being posted.
On the 12th, a petition titled "Please protect our youth and adults from shared electric scooters" pointed out, "While the development of new industries is inevitable, growing or neglecting the industry without safety measures will ultimately kill the industry."
The petitioner continued, "As the number of users and accidents increase exponentially, local governments and police stations nationwide need to strengthen crackdowns on unlicensed riding and helmet non-wearing related to electric scooters," adding, "(Scooters are) vehicles, aren't they? If they are vehicles, fair enforcement is necessary." As of 11 a.m. on the 16th, the petition had gathered over 2,370 supporters.
Other countries have stricter regulations on electric scooter use than South Korea. In Paris, France, after 284 injuries and 5 deaths from scooter accidents in 2017, a fine of 135 euros (about 180,000 KRW) was imposed for riding scooters on sidewalks. The UK, China, and others prohibit riding scooters on roads and sidewalks, allowing them only on private property.
Experts emphasize compliance with traffic laws and the introduction of related institutional improvements.
Jeon Jeho, a senior researcher at Samsung Traffic Safety Culture Research Institute, said, "For new transportation means, establishing a proper usage culture at the early stage is most important," and pointed out, "It is an urgent time to improve related systems to strengthen traffic law compliance and safe operation management and supervision for electric scooter users."
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