No Defects Found in National Forensic Service Investigation
Brake Lights Detected Only After the Accident
Investigation results have been released regarding an incident during the last Chuseok holiday at a highway rest area where a couple was hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV), resulting in the wife’s death and the husband being seriously injured. The driver claimed sudden unintended acceleration, but the police concluded it was due to driver error.
On the 10th, Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station announced that the driver, Mr. A, in his 70s, will be sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of causing death and injury under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling.
Mr. A is accused of hitting a couple who were walking inside the Jungbu Expressway Ochang Rest Area (towards Hanam) in Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju City, at 7:03 p.m. on October 1, during the Chuseok holiday, killing the woman in her 50s and seriously injuring her husband in his 60s.
At the time, Mr. A’s vehicle also struck four parked cars before coming to a stop. As a result of this accident, seven other people?four in one moving vehicle, three in another, and one in a parked vehicle?suffered varying degrees of injuries.
The SUV driven by a driver in their 70s hit a couple and then collided with four other vehicles before coming to a stop. [Photo by SBS News]
During the police investigation, Mr. A claimed, "It seems the car suddenly accelerated." However, the National Forensic Service reportedly informed the police on the 7th that there were no abnormalities in the vehicle’s braking system.
Additionally, black box footage from other vehicles at the scene revealed that the brake lights of Mr. A’s vehicle were not on at the time of the collision but only illuminated afterward.
A police official explained, "We interpreted this as evidence that Mr. A only realized the accident had occurred and applied the brakes after the collision."
Based on these findings, the police plan to summon Mr. A for further questioning soon and then forward the case to the prosecution.
30% of Fatal Accidents Due to Driver Error Involve High-Risk Elderly Drivers
According to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's analysis of traffic accidents over the past five years (2017-2021), 30% of deaths caused by traffic accidents due to driving inexperience were attributed to elderly drivers aged 65 and older. For those in their 20s to 40s, the average was around 12%. [Photo by Statistics Korea]
As previously noted, the number of traffic fatalities caused by driver error among elderly drivers is increasing.
According to an analysis by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority in March of traffic accidents over the past five years (2017?2021), 30% of deaths caused by driver error involved drivers aged 65 and older. For drivers in their 20s to 40s, the average was about 12%.
The proportion of fatalities caused by elderly drivers among all traffic accident deaths has also been rising annually. In 2012, elderly drivers accounted for 13.3% of all traffic accident deaths, which surged to 24.3% in 2021.
Considering the continuous increase in the elderly population in South Korea, urgent safety measures tailored to the characteristics of elderly drivers are needed. The proportion of the population aged 65 and older rose from 11.7% in 2012 to 17.1% in 2021.
The Authority’s research found differences in risky driving behaviors between elderly and non-elderly drivers.
Elderly drivers showed statistically significant risky behaviors compared to non-elderly drivers at a 95% confidence level, such as sudden starts from a stationary position and abrupt steering maneuvers (sharp left/right turns, sudden U-turns, etc.).
In response, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority has mandated the installation of emergency automatic braking systems, previously only required for buses and large trucks, on all vehicles except ultra-small cars (under 250cc) to minimize driver operational errors and reduce traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers.
The new requirement has been applied to new models since January of this year, and existing models currently on sale will be gradually upgraded.
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