A public notice encouraging elderly drivers to voluntarily return licenses at a driver’s license test center in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers has dropped after making it harder for seniors to keep their licenses, a study showed.
According to an academic paper published by the Police Science Institute, the number of traffic accidents for elderly drivers over the age of 65 stood at 79.3 cases per 10,000 drivers in 2021, down 13.5 percent compared to 2017 before the standards were changed.
This figure was down 20.4 percent compared to 2019, when the standards were strengthened.
The number of traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers slid to 31,841 cases in 2021 after peaking at 33,239 cases in 2019.
Starting in 2019, drivers older than 75 are obliged to renew their driver’s licenses and take an aptitude test every three years, instead of every five years.
However, the number of traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers is still high compared to other driver’s license holders.
The number of traffic accidents among all driver’s license holders stood at 68.3 cases in 2017 per 10,000 drivers and 60.2 in 2021, according to the paper.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
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