A tragic incident earlier this month in South Jeolla Province, where a 16-year-old high school girl lost her life after being struck by a passenger car, has brought this issue to the forefront. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BOSEONG, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – In South Korea, the escalating debate over the driving privileges of elderly individuals is likely to intensify as the nation grapples with a rapidly aging society. A tragic incident earlier this month in South Jeolla Province, where a 16-year-old high school girl lost her life after being struck by a passenger car, has brought this issue to the forefront.
The 78-year-old driver initially attributed the accident to “sudden acceleration” caused by a vehicle defect, a claim later proven false. Subsequent investigations revealed a pattern of erratic driving, including crossing the center line, an hour before the fatal crash.
Concerns about the elderly driver’s behavior were reported by a driver who had been following him, describing the actions as resembling those of a drunk driver. Despite the police’s intervention, which included a breathalyzer test that ruled out intoxication, the elderly driver continued his hazardous journey. This alarming incident occurred just 24 kilometers away from the eventual tragedy.
Under current traffic laws, unless there is evidence of alcohol or drug use, authorities have limited grounds to intervene when an elderly driver exhibits erratic behavior. In this case, an hour after the initial concerns were raised, the elderly driver crossed the center line and ran into a bus stop.
Conflicting statements emerged, with the driver first claiming a sudden jerk of the car and later changing his story after the National Institute of Forensic Science analyzed the electronic data recorder (EDR) and found no evidence of brake tampering.
While the elderly driver reported no medical issues, authorities suspect a decline in cognitive abilities may have contributed to the accident. A police official emphasized the importance of assuming the driver was not cognizant, as he failed to execute basic safe driving duties.
Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. On November 22, an 82-year-old driver in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, struck and killed three pedestrians at a red light. The driver claimed not to have seen the traffic light or pedestrians. Disturbingly, accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older reached a record high of 34,652 last year, with a staggering 29.7 percent surge over a five-year period.
In response to this concerning trend, the voluntary surrender of elderly drivers’ licenses is gaining renewed attention. However, this program faces resistance in South Korea, where only three out of 10 senior drivers aged 65 or older would consider returning their licenses.
The “Senior Citizens’ Traffic Safety and Accident Awareness Survey” revealed that 31.7 percent of respondents with licenses are contemplating surrendering them, citing concerns about the risk and anxiety of traffic accidents (43.6 percent) and health issues associated with aging (37.6 percent).
Of those opposed to surrendering their licenses, 45.8 percent highlighted the convenience of travel, while 35 percent expressed confidence in their ability to drive safely. This resistance aligns with global trends, where surrender rates for elderly drivers’ licenses remain low, emphasizing the importance of mobility for healthy and independent living as people age.
As South Korea faces a projected increase in senior drivers to 13 million by 2040, striking a balance between mobility, safety, and the well-being of the elderly becomes paramount. The recent tragic incidents underscore the urgency of revisiting policies and interventions to ensure road safety amid an aging population.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
