Last Year, Most Elderly Driver's License Returns in Gwangju and Jeonnam Were by 77-Year-Olds

5,481 People Aged 65 and Over Returned Licenses
Number of Voluntary Returns Continues to Decline Each Year

In the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, drivers aged 77 accounted for the largest proportion among elderly individuals who voluntarily returned their driver's licenses. As systems to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers have been implemented, the proportion of returns among those in their late 70s has stood out.

According to the Gwangju and Jeonnam Metropolitan Police Agencies on June 2, a total of 5,481 elderly people aged 65 or older voluntarily returned their driver's licenses in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions last year.

By age group, those in their 70s accounted for the largest number at 3,437 people (62.70%), followed by those in their 80s at 1,775 people (32.38%), those in their 60s at 186 people (3.39%), and those aged 90 or older at 83 people (1.51%).

Looking at the numbers in more detail, 425 people were aged 77 (7.75%), the highest figure, followed by 410 people aged 79 (7.48%), 400 people aged 78 (7.30%), 370 people aged 72 (6.75%), 368 people aged 76, 331 people aged 75 (6.71%), 326 people aged 82 (5.95%), and 313 people aged 80 (5.71%). Additionally, there were 305 people aged 74, 303 people aged 73, and 281 people aged 71.

Among those in their 80s, the highest number was 326 people aged 82, while among those in their 60s, 75 people aged 69 accounted for the largest number. There were 83 people aged 90 or older who returned their licenses.

By region, in Gwangju, the largest number was 168 people aged 79, followed by 160 people each aged 72 and 78, 152 people aged 77, and 151 people aged 76. There were also 129 people aged 80, 112 people aged 82, 30 people aged 69, and 23 people aged 90 or older.

In Jeonnam, the largest number was 273 people aged 77, followed by 242 people aged 79, 240 people aged 78, 217 people aged 76, 214 people aged 82, 184 people aged 80, and 45 people aged 69.

In both Gwangju and Jeonnam, the proportion of returns was high among those in their late 70s and early 80s, with some elderly people in their late 60s and those aged 90 or older also included.

Meanwhile, the number of voluntary license returns has been decreasing each year. The total number of returns in Gwangju and Jeonnam was 6,615 in 2022, 6,093 in 2023, and 5,478 last year. In Gwangju, the figures were 2,985 (2022), 2,581 (2023), and 1,997 (2024), while in Jeonnam, the numbers were 3,630, 3,512, and 3,481, respectively.