70s "Strengthening Voluntary Return Compensation Benefits"
60s Prefer 'Mandatory Safety Devices'
Low Preference for 'Conditional License Issuance'
As concerns about traffic accidents involving elderly drivers have become a social issue, a survey revealed that the public prefers indirect safety enhancement measures over restrictions on driver's licenses. Energy Economy News reported on the 8th that it commissioned Realmeter to conduct a survey asking 500 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide about safety measures for elderly drivers.
The survey results showed that the most preferred measure among respondents was "mandatory installation of safety devices such as pedal misoperation prevention (26.5%)." This was followed by "strengthening compensation and benefits for voluntary surrender of driver's licenses (23.0%)," "mandatory submission of medical certificates and strengthening physical and cognitive function tests (19.9%)," and "shortening the renewal aptitude test cycle (16.6%)."
The scene of a vehicle being transported after crashing onto the sidewalk and hitting pedestrians at an intersection near City Hall Station on the evening of the 1st. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the other hand, only 6.1% of respondents favored the direct regulatory measure of restricting the issuance of driver's licenses to elderly drivers through "conditional license issuance."
By age group, opinions were divided among the 60s and 70s generations, who are the targets of regulation. Those aged 70 and older most preferred strengthening compensation and benefits for license surrender (34.3%), while mandatory safety devices were significantly less favored at 17.8% compared to other age groups. Conversely, those in their 60s showed the highest preference for mandatory safety devices (35.9%), but only 16.6% favored strengthening compensation and benefits through voluntary surrender.
Meanwhile, following a serious traffic accident caused by a driver in their 60s driving the wrong way near Seoul City Hall Station, resulting in significant casualties, voices calling for management measures for elderly drivers have emerged.
According to data from the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS), traffic accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older have gradually increased from 33,239 cases in 2019 to 39,614 cases last year. As of last year, drivers aged 65 and older accounted for 19.9% of all traffic accident offenders.
In April, a driver in their 90s suddenly drove onto a sidewalk while trying to move a car in the parking lot of the Pangyo Senior Welfare Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, injuring four pedestrians. In February, a man in his 70s caused an accident near Yeonsinnae Station in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, hitting multiple vehicles and more than a dozen pedestrians.
Currently, local governments are implementing the "Senior Driver's License Surrender System" to encourage elderly drivers to voluntarily return their licenses. In Seoul, since 2019, drivers aged 70 and older who surrender their licenses receive a prepaid transportation card loaded with 100,000 won. However, there are criticisms that the compensation is far too insufficient to encourage license surrender. In fact, the license surrender rate among elderly drivers in Seoul last year was only 5.77%.
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