Despite Decrease in PM Traffic Accidents in Gwangju and South Jeolla, Fatalities Persist

PM-related traffic accidents decrease in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province,
but fatal incidents persist
Assemblyman Park Junghyun calls for mandatory license verification and regulatory measures for electric kickboard operators

An electric kickboard is parked in downtown Seoul on the 13th, the day the revised Road Traffic Act strengthening regulations on the use of personal mobility devices (PM) such as electric kickboards came into effect. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

While traffic accidents involving personal mobility devices (PM) are decreasing in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, fatal accidents continue to occur.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency to Assemblyman Park Junghyun of the Democratic Party of Korea (Daejeon Daedeok District) on September 4, the number of PM-related traffic accidents in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province decreased by 24% over two years, from 170 cases in 2022 to 144 in 2023 and 129 in 2024.

By region, Gwangju saw a temporary increase from 92 cases in 2022 to 111 in 2023, but the number dropped significantly to 76 in 2024, marking a 17% decrease over two years. In contrast, South Jeolla Province experienced a sharp decline from 78 cases in 2022 to 33 in 2023, but the number rose again to 53 in 2024.

PM refers to small electric mobility devices such as electric kickboards and electric two-wheeled vehicles. Due to their small structure and lack of protective features, the risk of injury in collisions is high. For these reasons, although the overall trend in traffic accidents is decreasing, fatal accidents persist.

In Gwangju, three people lost their lives in electric kickboard traffic accidents in July of last year alone. In South Jeolla Province, one fatality has been reported each year.

Assemblyman Park stated, "Electric kickboard companies, classified as free businesses, are not required to report or register with local governments, leaving a blind spot in safety management. It is necessary to mandate a license verification system for electric kickboard operators and to establish regulations in cooperation with local governments."