Even after offering a cane and support... Startled by the elderly driver gripping the steering wheel

Controversy Arises as Video Captures Elderly Driver Behind the Wheel
Netizens Say "Mobility Is Important but Worried About Accidents"

Amid ongoing social discussions about elderly drivers following a series of sudden unintended acceleration incidents, a video showing an elderly driver with mobility difficulties has sparked controversy online. The question raised is whether it is appropriate for someone who struggles with movement, regardless of age, to be driving. On the 24th, a video titled "A driver who leaves you speechless" was posted on the online car community BobaeDream.

Amid ongoing social discussions about elderly drivers following a series of sudden acceleration accidents, a video showing an elderly driver with mobility difficulties has been released online, sparking controversy.
[Photo by online community 'BobaeDream']

The video was filmed on the 12th on a road in Jungwon-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, showing a crosswalk without traffic lights. After many people pass by, an elderly person who appears to have difficulty moving appears alongside a man. Despite having a cane, the elderly person struggles to walk, and the man supports him to help him walk. The elderly person, walking with great difficulty, barely reaches the side of a parked car and then opens the driver's door. He tries to get into the car but struggles and cannot get in easily. After standing in front of the car for a while, the elderly person finally gets into the driver's seat and drives off.

He could not walk well despite having a cane, and a man supported him to help him walk. The elderly man, who was struggling to walk, barely reached the car parked in front and then immediately opened the driver's door. He then tried to get into the car, but even this was difficult, and he could not get in easily. After standing in front of the car for a while, the elderly man finally got into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove away.
[Photo by Online Community 'BobaeDream']

Netizens who watched the video have mixed reactions regarding an elderly person who cannot even properly support their own body driving a car. Comments on the video included, "He can't even walk properly, and yet he drives?", "How did he pass the driving license aptitude test with that physical condition?", "This is really serious. The family should make him surrender his license," and "Is he even able to press the brake properly?" Especially, recent unexplained sudden acceleration accidents frequently involving elderly drivers have made this issue more problematic. On the other hand, some netizens commented, "Because of mobility difficulties, they have no choice but to drive," and "Instead of criticizing elderly drivers, we should reduce the need for them to drive by improving public transportation benefits and infrastructure."

Following a recent accident near Seoul City Hall Station where a 68-year-old man’s car crashed onto a sidewalk, killing nine people, calls for restrictions on elderly driver licenses have resurfaced. Earlier in May, the government announced a '2024 Traffic Accident Fatality Reduction Plan' jointly with related ministries, stating they would consider introducing a 'conditional license system' based on managing elderly drivers' qualifications and evaluating driving abilities.

This system would differentially allow driving privileges based on driving ability. Conditional licenses would be issued to elderly drivers aged 65 and over, restricting driving privileges such as prohibiting nighttime or highway driving depending on their driving ability, and setting driving permission ranges based on practical driving ability assessments. However, the plan was scrapped amid public criticism that it would restrict the mobility rights of elderly people.