Autonomous Police Unit and Korea Transportation Safety Authority to Conduct PM Safety Education Visiting Schools from the 29th
Targeting 10 Middle and High Schools and Over 3,600 Youths in the Province... Raising Awareness of Youth PM Operation Safety
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Autonomous Police Unit (Chief Go Chang-gyeong) announced on the 29th that starting from the new semester, they will conduct joint “On-site Personal Mobility (hereinafter PM) Safety Education at Schools” with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority.
PM devices can only be operated by individuals aged 16 or older who have obtained a motorized vehicle license or higher. However, the majority of teenagers are riding electric kickboards without a license, exposing themselves to various accidents and damages. Dangerous behaviors such as riding on sidewalks and carrying more than one person threaten pedestrian safety, emerging as a social issue.
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Autonomous Police Unit is conducting personal mobility device safety education by visiting schools. [Photo by Jeju Autonomous Police Unit]
In particular, nationwide, there have been 816 youth PM accidents in the past five years, accounting for 25% of all PM accidents. Considering that middle school students and younger are not yet eligible to obtain a license, making electric kickboard operation itself illegal, this is a serious situation.
The Autonomous Police Unit conducted a first demand survey targeting schools wishing to receive PM safety education by mid-this month. Based on this, education will be provided to about 3,600 students at 10 middle and high schools across the province.
The main educational content includes ▲ introduction to PM operation risks and major accident cases (video) ▲ understanding of PM-related systems and regulations ▲ 12 major negligent accidents caused by unlicensed PM driving.
The Autonomous Police Unit and the Korea Transportation Safety Authority plan to educate teenagers who use unlicensed shared electric kickboards remotely via a mobile phone app about potential problems that may arise in case of accidents and various safety rules, urging special caution.
Also, considering the reality that similar types of youth shared kickboard accidents are repeatedly occurring due to the absence of license verification obligations by companies and current PM-related regulations such as license authentication procedures, they plan to raise awareness of the dangers of youth PM operation through explanations of related systems, regulations, road structures, and infrastructure.
Instead of simple theory-based lecture-style education, the program will engage students’ interest and raise awareness through participatory classes using educational materials analyzing various video cases and goggles for virtual intoxication experience. Furthermore, joint education will be promoted in collaboration with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority in the future, including the preparation of teaching plans.
Park Sang-hyun, head of the Tourism Police Division of the Autonomous Police Unit, said, “As the PM market rapidly grows, related accidents are also increasing significantly every year. Through various promotions such as on-site education and campaigns visiting schools, we will enhance understanding of PM driving-related regulations and safety rules, and strengthen management and enforcement of PMs such as electric kickboards in the future.”
Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr
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