[Exclusive] Special Measures After Another Elderly Driver Accident... Seoul to Operate Vehicles with 'Pedal Misapplication Prevention' Devices

Designated as a Special Demonstration Zone for "Pedal Misapplication Prevention"
Eligibility Discussions Underway... Guidelines Expected for Age, Vehicle Type, and More
City Council Amends Ordinance to Provide Installation Support
Increased Trans

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will conduct a pilot operation of approximately 200 vehicles equipped with 'pedal misapplication prevention devices.' This measure aims to prevent accidents involving elderly drivers, following the 2024 City Hall Station tragedy and the recent incident near Jonggak Station that resulted in numerous casualties.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and other sources on January 7, the city has been newly designated this year as a special pilot zone for the government's pedal misapplication prevention device demonstration project. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which oversees the project, recently included Seoul in the special zone after an internal review and allocated an operational quota.

Traffic Accident Trends Among Elderly Drivers (Aged 65 and Over). Korea Road Traffic Authority

The pedal misapplication prevention device uses sensors at the front and rear of the vehicle to detect obstacles and blocks the signal even if the driver suddenly steps on the accelerator pedal. While some countries, such as Japan, are moving to make installation mandatory, Korea is currently testing the device's effectiveness through a regulatory sandbox that exempts it from the ban on unauthorized software modifications.

As Seoul has been included as a special zone for the first time this year, the city plans to operate around 200 vehicles equipped with pedal misapplication prevention devices within the year. Discussions will take place regarding the criteria for device installation, and guidelines are expected to be established concerning the age of participants, vehicle types, and areas of vehicle operation.

Last year, a pilot project for installing pedal misapplication prevention devices was conducted in areas outside Seoul, yielding meaningful results. According to the National Police Agency, the devices were distributed to approximately 140 elderly drivers aged 65 and over, and during the three-month pilot period starting in July last year, a total of 71 suspected misapplication incidents were recorded.

These incidents included cases where, during forward or reverse driving at speeds under 15 km/h, the accelerator pedal was pressed to 80% or more of the accelerator position sensor (APS) value, or when the engine reached 4,500 rpm due to sudden acceleration. The device effectively blocked accident-causing factors. The city expects that the pedal misapplication prevention device will help reduce accidents involving elderly drivers.

The city council has also moved to support this initiative by amending relevant ordinances, establishing a legal basis for supporting the installation of safe driving assistance devices for elderly drivers. The scope of existing ordinances on projects to prevent traffic accidents involving elderly drivers has been explicitly expanded to include 'support for the installation of vehicle safe driving assistance devices.' This aims to provide practical support for safe driving among the elderly, supplementing previous policies that relied solely on encouraging license returns.

Some have pointed out that the installation of pedal misapplication prevention devices in vehicles driven by high-risk groups, such as the elderly, should be accelerated. The government is planning to make installation of the device mandatory starting in 2029, but only for new vehicles. Additionally, the long gap before implementation is a concern, especially as the elderly population is rapidly increasing.

Accordingly, Seoul plans to pursue various additional support measures to prevent accidents involving elderly drivers, in addition to the pilot operation of pedal misapplication prevention devices. Since last year, the city has increased the transportation subsidy for license holders aged 70 and over who voluntarily return their licenses from 100,000 won to 200,000 won. An ordinance to promote license returns among elderly drivers diagnosed with dementia has also passed the city council.

Physical protection measures are also being implemented. Vehicle safety guardrails have been installed on roads in Seoul with a high risk of accidents, such as steep slopes or sharp curves. These guardrails are made of vehicle-grade steel and have passed the Korea Transportation Safety Authority's crash tests, achieving the 'SB1' grade. This means they are strong enough to protect pedestrians even if an 8-ton vehicle collides at 55 km/h and a 15-degree angle. Installation has also been completed at the City Hall Station accident site.

A city official stated, "Although more elderly people are returning their licenses, the elderly population is increasing even faster, making citizen safety measures increasingly necessary," adding, "We will continue to review and implement various measures and work to identify and address any issues."

Licensed elderly drivers nationwide (aged 65 and over). National Police Agency and National Assembly