Electric Scooter Accidents Surge... Two Riders on One Scooter
From December, Users Aged 13 and Over Can Ride Without a License
Experts "Safety Education and Measures to Be Implemented"
A citizen is riding an electric scooter without wearing protective gear. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Recently, as fatal collision accidents involving shared electric kickboards have surged, concerns are being raised that safety measures and traffic regulations to prevent such incidents remain insufficient.
In particular, regulations on kickboards are set to be further relaxed from December 10, allowing anyone aged 13 and older to use them without a license, heightening public worries about safety accidents.
Experts have announced plans to implement countermeasures such as traffic safety education for kickboard users through local governments and schools.
According to the Gyeyang Police Station in Incheon on the 27th, a teenage high school student, identified as A, died after colliding with a vehicle while riding a kickboard. Another user, B, who was riding the kickboard together, was seriously injured and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
According to the police, at around 9:09 p.m. on the 24th, A and B were riding kickboards near the Gyeyang District Office when they collided with a taxi driven by a man in his 60s. Severely injured A was taken to a nearby hospital and treated in the intensive care unit but ultimately passed away three days after the accident.
On the 19th, in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, a man in his 50s identified as C, who was commuting on a kickboard, was struck and killed by an excavator. C was transported to the hospital but died. Investigations revealed that C was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
As fatal and other serious safety accidents involving kickboards continue to occur, public anxiety is growing. Although kickboard use is increasing as a new mode of transportation, safety rules and traffic regulations are criticized as inadequate compared to the rising demand.
Under the current Road Traffic Act, kickboards, which are similar to motorcycles, are classified as "motorized bicycles" and require a "motorized bicycle license" or higher, and are only allowed on roads. However, in daily life, it is common to see users riding kickboards on sidewalks or without protective gear such as helmets. In fact, cases like A’s, where two people ride a single kickboard together, are frequently observed.
Moreover, kickboards can reach speeds of around 25 km/h, which is relatively fast, posing a high risk of collision with pedestrians when used on sidewalks. They also lack protective devices to absorb impact in accidents, which can result in fatal injuries or death.
Despite this, with the amendment to the Road Traffic Act taking effect on December 10, kickboards will be classified as "Personal Mobility Devices" like bicycles, allowing youths aged 13 and older to use them without obtaining a license. They will also be permitted on bicycle-only roads, and users will not be penalized for not wearing helmets or other safety equipment.
As regulations are relaxed amid a surge in kickboard-related safety accidents, voices expressing safety concerns are growing louder. Citizens are demanding the establishment of measures to prevent kickboard-related accidents.
On December 12, a petition titled "Please protect our youth and adults from shared kickboards" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petitioner expressed concern, stating, "While it is inevitable that new eras and industries develop, fostering or neglecting such industries without prior government verification and safety measures will ultimately harm the industry itself."
Experts have announced plans to implement countermeasures such as traffic safety education for kickboard users through local governments and schools.
Senior Researcher Park Seonghee of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority said, "We recognize the need for safety measures as kickboard use increases. From December 10, youths aged 13 and older without licenses will be able to use electric kickboards, and since accidents are frequent, our research department is conducting studies to establish safety measures."
Researcher Park added, "Bills to improve the management of personal mobility devices like kickboards have been proposed in the National Assembly. According to related laws, we plan to implement traffic safety education through local governments and schools to ensure user safety."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
