Im Seonghwa, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, Enacts Ordinance to Prevent Traffic Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers

Im Seong-hwa, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council, announced on the 1st that the 'Ordinance on the Prevention of Traffic Accidents Involving Elderly Drivers' was enacted during the 2nd regular session of the 317th meeting.

The ordinance specifies ▲ the responsibilities of the district mayor for traffic accident prevention ▲ projects to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers ▲ surveys on the actual conditions of elderly drivers ▲ financial support related to voluntary surrender of driver's licenses, among other matters.

Councilor Im explained, "Traffic accidents caused by drivers aged 70 and over are rapidly increasing. Last October in Gwangju, a driver in their 70s crossed the center line and hit pedestrians crossing a crosswalk, seriously injuring 11 people. Recently, in Chuncheon, three pedestrians lost their lives after being struck by a passenger car driven by an elderly driver in their 80s."

Councilor Im added, "Among all traffic accidents in the Gwangju area, accidents caused by elderly drivers accounted for 7.8% (607 out of 7,718 cases) in 2020, 8.3% (632 out of 7,543 cases) in 2021, and 9.5% (680 out of 7,122 cases) in 2022, increasing by about 1% each year."

He continued, "Elderly drivers often experience not only physical function decline but also reduced agility and widespread cognitive impairment. Gradual cognitive decline can increase the risk of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers. Therefore, to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers, benefits should be gradually increased when surrendering driver's licenses to encourage voluntary license return."

Furthermore, Councilor Im proposed Seo-gu Gwangju-type policies such as 'installing traffic signs that are easy for the elderly to read or constructing new roads,' 'adjusting parking space dimensions,' 'strengthening traffic safety education for the elderly,' and providing local gift certificates in stages when licenses are voluntarily surrendered. He also urged the government to shorten the renewal periods for driver's licenses and aptitude tests at the national level.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho bless4ya@asiae.co.kr