[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Measures to improve traffic safety, including unlicensed driving and drunk driving among students in the Jeonnam region, are expected to be actively implemented.
According to the Jeonnam Provincial Council on the 1st, the "Jeollanam-do Office of Education Student Traffic Safety Ordinance," proposed by Lee Hyuk-je, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member (Democratic Party of Korea·Mokpo 4), passed the Education Committee review at the 349th extraordinary session.
According to the Road Traffic Authority, unlicensed rental car traffic accidents increased from 274 cases in 2015, 237 in 2016, 353 in 2017, 366 in 2018, to 375 in 2019. Among these, unlicensed traffic accidents involving those aged 10 and under were 83 in 2015, 101 in 2016, 141 in 2017, 132 in 2018, and 141 in 2019, accounting for nearly 40% annually.
In September, an accident occurred in Mokpo, Jeonnam, where a rental car driven by an unlicensed high school student collided with a passenger car, resulting in 3 deaths and 4 serious injuries. Also, on the day of last Chuseok, a 20-year-old university student visiting their hometown in Hwasun died in an accident caused by a high school student driving a rental car without a license.
This revised ordinance focuses on educating about the dangers of unlicensed and drunk driving, the responsibilities of drivers, and the causes and prevention methods of car accidents.
In particular, since the regulation was relaxed on the 10th of last month to allow anyone aged 13 and older to use personal mobility devices (electric kickboards, electric wheels, etc.), new educational content for accident prevention related to this has been added.
Assembly member Lee Hyuk-je stated, “Fatal accidents caused by unlicensed driving among students have occurred frequently throughout Jeonnam, causing significant social concern,” and added, “To prevent the increasing traffic accidents among teenagers, provisions related to traffic safety education have been newly established in the ordinance.”
He continued, “Education on the dangers of drunk driving is very important, but when asking students about drunk driving education, their awareness generally seems low,” emphasizing, “The awareness of drunk driving should not be limited to adults; it is necessary to raise consciousness from a young age through continuous education.”
Furthermore, he added, “Since crimes committed by teenagers tend to be impulsive or spontaneous, safety education for prevention is necessary,” and said, “We will strive to promote related education actively, including education on the dangers of unlicensed and drunk driving as well as responsibilities and penalties in case of accidents.”
This ordinance is scheduled to be approved at the 2nd plenary session of the 349th extraordinary session of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council on February 2.
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