Currently, electric kickboards are legally categorized as cars, which prevents them from being used on pedestrian or bicycle paths. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of accidents involving individual mobility vehicles such as electric scooters and kickboards has nearly doubled over the past year.
Experts say the government needs to rapidly modify regulations such as speed standards regarding these types of vehicles.
The number of accidents involving personal mobility vehicles such as electric scooters rose 91.3 percent from 117 in 2017 to 225 last year, according to the Korean National Police Agency Saturday.
During the same period, the death toll remained unchanged at four, but the number of injured rose 91.9 percent to 238 from 124.
Under Korean traffic laws, personal vehicles such as electric kickboards and one-wheel electric scooters are classified as motorbikes.
As a result, those who wish to use electric vehicles must possess a driver’s license, as is the case with motorcycles, and wearing a helmet is also a must. Furthermore, the electric vehicles must travel on roads only.
However, it is reported that such regulations are in fact not being followed properly.
As the number of electric vehicle sharing companies has increased and they have become more popular, the regulations are not being obeyed.
Currently, there are about 10 electric kickboard sharing companies with subscribers and users reaching 6 million.
Earlier this year, the Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution said it would come up with a specific system by June while partially easing regulations related to individual mobility, but no alternatives have been proposed yet.
Until the regulations are in place, some advise that users of electric scooters and kickboards need to make an effort to understand pedestrians and drivers.
“Because it is a new form of transportation, drivers and pedestrians have a strong sense of rejection,” said a source from the Road Traffic Authority.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
Razor Electric scooters are easy to fold and carry with you, it is similer to Skateboards.
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