Cars 'Zooming' By... Elderly Paper Collectors Risking Lives While Driving

Risk of Major Accident if Careless

Police Provide Nighttime Reflective Stickers
Push for Legal Revision to Allow Pedestrian Traffic

On the afternoon of the 28th, the road from Seoul National University of Education Station towards Gangnam Station. A cart collecting waste paper and a bus are using the same road.
Photo by Jeongyoon Lee leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Around 1 p.m. on the 28th, on a six-lane road running back and forth between Seoul National University of Education Station and Gangnam Station. On the far right lane of the road heading toward Gangnam Station, a precarious situation unfolded where a cart fully loaded with waste paper was moving on the same road as vehicles. Most drivers slowed down as they approached the cart. However, the distance between buses and passenger cars was only about 1 meter to several tens of centimeters, and some vehicles were observed honking as they passed by. If the cart, densely loaded with recyclable materials such as waste paper, suddenly lost direction or if the driver failed to notice the cart, it could easily lead to a major accident.

After observing the road for about an hour that day, three carts were found in dangerous situations. There were even cases where the cart was driving against traffic instead of moving in the same direction as vehicles. However, to reach the recycling collection companies, it was necessary to pass through this road. They are inevitably exposed to danger for their livelihood. Kim (85, female), who collects waste paper, said, "I have to go through this road to get to the collection company," adding, "I am more tense and carefully watch my surroundings when passing through places where cars move quickly."

Recycling collection carts moving on roads could also be found in various alleyways. On narrow roads, carts pulled by elderly people and vehicles were tangled together, causing difficulties in traffic. The carts sometimes passed dangerously close to vehicles. None of these situations seemed safe.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, from 2016 to 2018, 19 elderly people collecting waste paper died in traffic accidents. During this period, Dongdaemun District recorded the highest number of deaths with three, while Jongno District and Gwanak District each had two fatalities. In October last year, in Gwangju, a drunk driver in his twenties collided with a cart ahead of him. As a result of this accident, a woman in her seventies who was collecting waste paper early in the morning died.

To ensure the safety of recycling collection carts, which are easily exposed to accidents, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is conducting traffic safety education and providing nighttime reflective stickers and reflective vests. A Seoul police official said, "Rather than enforcement, we are focusing on guidance because many of the people pushing the carts are practically low-income," adding, "We provide education and supplies not only when we find them but also when visiting collection companies." In April, Gwanak District Office supported 44 lightweight carts to prevent safety accidents among elderly recycling collectors in the district. These carts are made from materials that are about 30-50% lighter than before. Additionally, brakes were attached to make them easier to secure.

Legislative amendments are also being pursued to allow carts to travel on sidewalks, which are relatively safer than roads. According to the current Road Traffic Act, carts are classified as carriages and must travel on roads. Violating this and traveling on sidewalks can result in a fine of 30,000 won. In November 2017, Lee Chae-ik, a member of the People Power Party, explained the reason for his proposal, saying, "Allowing handcarts to travel on sidewalks would only cause minor inconveniences or minor accidents to pedestrians," and he introduced a bill to amend the Road Traffic Act to include handcarts as pedestrians. However, the amendment did not pass the National Assembly.

The police are also aware of this situation and are preparing countermeasures. A police official said, "Handcarts, including those used to transport delivery boxes, are also classified as carriages," adding, "We are pushing for amendments to the Road Traffic Act so that carts and handcarts can be included in the concept of pedestrians and allowed to travel on sidewalks."