Songpa-gu Supports Seniors Voluntarily Returning Driver's Licenses with 100,000 Won Transportation Card

Starting from the 13th, applications open at Dong Community Centers, expecting to prevent traffic accidents among the elderly

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seong-su Park, photo) will provide transportation cards loaded with 100,000 KRW to over 700 senior citizens aged 70 and above who voluntarily surrender their driver's licenses starting from the 13th (a total of 10,700 people across Seoul).

With the aging population, traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers (aged 65 and above) have been increasing annually.

In particular, elderly drivers have a higher accident rate compared to other age groups, which has become a social issue.

To prevent traffic accidents involving seniors, since 2019, Seoul has been promoting a transportation expense support project for seniors who voluntarily surrender their driver's licenses, receiving much positive response and gradually increasing the number of seniors voluntarily returning their licenses.

Entering its third year this year, the senior license surrender support project is expected to be implemented steadily and to reduce the occurrence rate of traffic accidents.

For the convenience of seniors, the application process was simplified last year to allow one-stop service at the local community service centers, where seniors can receive a transportation card loaded with 100,000 KRW immediately upon surrendering their license. Seniors aged 70 and above (born on or before December 31, 1951) must be registered residents of Seoul at the time of license surrender.

Additionally, seniors who voluntarily surrendered their driver's licenses after March 28, 2019 (the enforcement date of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance for Supporting the Prevention of Traffic Accidents by Elderly Drivers) but did not apply for the transportation card support project can also apply by presenting the driver's license cancellation notice issued by the police station.

The supported transportation card is a prepaid card loaded with 100,000 KRW that can be used nationwide at T-money affiliated stores such as buses, taxis, and convenience stores, allowing users to spend it not only on transportation but also for other desired purposes, adding convenience.

Seong-su Park, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “We ask for the voluntary participation of many seniors in surrendering their driver's licenses,” and added, “We will make further efforts to reduce the traffic accident rate in Songpa-gu and create a safer and happier city.”