Dementia, Disqualification Reason but Many Exceptions
Driving Possible with Medication or Treatment
Recently, it was revealed that the driver who caused a vehicle crash at Kkaebi Market in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, was suffering from dementia, highlighting the urgent need to establish effective regulations to control the driving of dementia patients.
According to the Central Dementia Center at the National Medical Center on the 3rd, 10.52% of the population aged 65 and older are dementia patients, maintaining a steady rate above 10% over the past five years. As of last year, there were 4,747,426 licensed drivers aged 65 and older, and assuming 10% of them have dementia, approximately 474,000 dementia patients are driving on the roads.
Under the current Road Traffic Act, dementia is grounds for license cancellation regardless of the severity of symptoms. When a medical institution diagnoses dementia, this information is reported to the National Police Agency, which then notifies the Korea Road Traffic Authority to require the driver to undergo a periodic fitness test. However, since there is no set notification period, it can take a considerable amount of time before the test is actually conducted. Mr. Lee (57), whose father was diagnosed with dementia two years ago but has yet to receive a notification for the periodic fitness test, said, “Even after my father was diagnosed with dementia, he tried to get behind the wheel, and the whole family stopped him,” adding, “It has been two years, and we still have not received any notification for the periodic fitness test.”
Furthermore, even dementia patients can continue to hold their driver’s licenses if they submit a specialist’s opinion stating that they can drive after receiving treatment or medication, and if they pass the test. If they do not take medication or neglect treatment, dementia symptoms can suddenly worsen, increasing the risk of accidents. The Kkaebi Market accident also sparked controversy as it was reported that the driver had not taken dementia medication for the past nine months.
Regarding this situation, a representative from the Korea Road Traffic Authority explained, “Periodic fitness tests are primarily notified to dementia patients who have been hospitalized for more than six months or have received a senior long-term care grade. They can also voluntarily report themselves or be reported with their consent.”
Experts advise that clearer institutional measures to manage dementia drivers are urgently needed. Professor Kim Pil-su of the Department of Automotive Studies at Daelim University stated, “The driver involved in the Kkaebi Market accident was diagnosed with dementia two years ago but was not subject to the periodic fitness test because there was no record of hospitalization for more than six months,” adding, “Since dementia symptoms can appear suddenly, patients diagnosed with dementia should undergo multiple detailed examinations or be subject to stronger measures to restrict driving.”
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