Police Dispatched After Resident Report... "Not Intoxicated"
Traffic Accidents Involving Drivers Aged 65 and Over Increase by 19.2%
An man in his 80s crashed into seven other cars while parking in an apartment parking lot in Oedong, Gimhae City. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] An octogenarian driver caused an accident by consecutively hitting several vehicles while parking in an apartment complex in Gimhae, Gyeongnam. The driver reportedly stated that "I intended to press the brake but accidentally pressed the accelerator."
According to the police on the 22nd, at around 8:20 p.m. the previous day, Mr. A, in his 80s, hit seven other cars while parking in an apartment parking lot in Oedong, Gimhae City.
The police, who responded to a report from an apartment resident, checked Mr. A's alcohol level and found that he had not consumed any alcohol.
The police believe the accident was caused by driving inexperience, based on Mr. A's statement and the absence of alcohol consumption.
Meanwhile, according to a report titled "Rationalization Measures for Traffic Safety by Age Group of Elderly Drivers" released by Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Traffic Safety Culture Research Institute on the 8th, the risk of traffic accidents increases starting from elderly drivers aged 70 and above.
In particular, the risk of accidents rises more steeply from age 80 and above. The report shows that from 2017 to 2021, the number of traffic accidents involving non-elderly drivers aged 64 and below decreased by 9.7% (from 189,622 to 171,289), whereas the number of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers aged 65 and above increased by 19.2% (from 26,713 to 31,841).
In June as well, an accident involving an elderly driver occurred. At that time, on a road in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, a female driver in her 70s collided with a motorcycle. The driver continued to drive about 30 meters before stopping after being stopped by a pedestrian.
The driver reportedly stated, "I did not realize the motorcyclist was under the car."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
