[Report] "Safe Driving for 20 Years on Seoul~Daejeon Route"…Bitter Feelings Amid Harsh Views on Elderly Drivers

Elderly Driver Traffic Accident Rate in the 20% Range
"We Must Move Toward Avoiding Basic Rights Violations"

"Returning my license? I should do that at 90. I'm still healthy, so I can drive more."

On the morning of the 12th, Gwak (80), whom I met at the Western Driver's License Examination Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, spoke with determination. Having just completed the 'Cognitive Ability Test' for elderly drivers, he said, "The test wasn't that difficult," and confidently added, "I got most of the answers right; it's just that the touchpad was hard to press because of my age." Marking 40 years of driving experience this year, he is a 'veteran driver' who has commuted between Seoul and Daejeon for about 20 years. He drove over 350 km once or twice a week to run his business but said he had never been involved in any major accidents.

Gwak said, "Driving not only affects me but also others, so it would be proper to return my license as I get older, but I still consider myself healthy and want to keep driving a little longer." He added, "I understand the worried looks from younger people, but it hurts when they tell me to just give it up."

Elderly Drivers Caught Between License Renewal and Surrender

At 10 a.m. that day, a somber atmosphere filled the 'Elderly Driver Education Center' at the Western Driver's License Examination Center in Seoul, where about 30 elderly people had gathered. They sat seriously in front of tablet PCs, preparing to take the second stage cognitive ability test after passing the first stage dementia screening for license renewal.

Tension before the test was palpable. When a professional instructor explained the content and methods of the approximately one-hour cognitive ability test, one elderly person muttered the explanations to himself as if reviewing, writing notes on a prepared sheet of paper. Another nodded repeatedly, saying "Right" in response to the instructor's explanations.

The cognitive ability test for elderly drivers conducted that day consisted of five parts, including traffic sign discrimination and directional sign memory tests. While the test results do not determine driving eligibility, the instructor uses them to advise on future driving habits and points to be cautious about. Once the test began in earnest, voices of confusion such as "What was that?" and "Why is this like this?" broke out here and there. Especially during the question where participants had to remember quickly passing numbers and select them after a certain time, some elderly people were seen taking off their headsets and looking around in confusion.

Following the 'Sicheong Station Wrong-Way Driving Accident' last month, social debate over elderly drivers surrendering their licenses continues. This is due to the increasing number of elderly drivers and the rising proportion of accidents involving them each year. According to the Road Traffic Authority's traffic accident analysis system, the accident rate for drivers aged 65 and over rose from 14.5% in 2019 to 20.0% last year. One in five accidents involved elderly drivers.

However, most elderly people visiting the test center are aware of the recent controversies about elderly drivers but emphasize that "a license is not a choice but a necessity" for them. It is difficult for many elderly to travel far just to catch the village bus, and some must drive to make a living.

Kim Bong-geun (75), who lives in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, said, "If it becomes too difficult to drive, voluntarily returning the license is good for both oneself and others. However, it is upsetting when people talk as if no one over 65 is capable of driving. Since driving is essential, I want to keep driving for about five more years."

"Elderly Driver Licenses Require Social Consensus First"

There are also calls for the government to come up with effective measures rather than demanding unconditional license surrender. Currently, local governments provide incentive cards worth up to 100,000 won to those who voluntarily return their licenses, but the amount is small and one-time, so the effect is limited. According to the National Police Agency, the license surrender rate among drivers aged 65 and over in Seoul has remained at 5-6% for five years from 2018 to 2022.

Experts pointed out that a 'conditional license' system should be introduced for drivers aged 65 and over, while distinguishing and preparing separate measures for livelihood drivers such as taxi drivers. The conditional license system restricts elderly drivers from driving at night, on highways, and permits driving only under certain conditions. When the government announced plans to introduce the conditional license system, controversy arose over whether it excessively infringes on the basic rights of groups who must drive for their livelihood, such as taxi and freight drivers.

Professor Choi Jae-won of the Korea Road Traffic Authority advised, "While introducing conditional licenses, various measures are needed to avoid infringing on the basic rights of elderly drivers. For example, providing demand-responsive transport (DRT) for elderly people living in rural areas who find it difficult to move without a car, and supporting livelihood drivers like taxi drivers to install 'emergency automatic control devices' that automatically brake when objects or people are detected ahead could be practical measures."