The South Korean government is considering shortening the qualification test intervals for elderly drivers of commercial vehicles following a fatal accident near Seoul City Hall Station. On July 1, an elderly driver hit pedestrians on the sidewalk, resulting in nine deaths.
Currently, drivers aged 65 and older must undergo a qualification maintenance test every three years, while those aged 70 and older must be tested annually. The government is now seeking industry feedback on reducing the timeframe for drivers aged 70 and under.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) received a report on improving the system for aging passenger vehicle drivers. MOLIT is gathering industry opinions and plans to announce the “Measures to Reduce Traffic Accidents” in September.
The cause of the July 1 accident has not been determined, but the driver involved was identified as a 68-year-old bus driver.
On July 3, a 70-year-old taxi driver drove into the emergency room of the National Medical Center in Seoul, injuring three people. In another incident in Gangnam, Seoul, a man in his mid-70s drove into a daycare center.
These incidents have reignited the debate over the appropriate age for driving. The Korea Road Traffic Authority conducts regular tests for drivers aged 65 and older. These tests assess visual and auditory perception, judgment in traffic situations, driving skills, and psychological stability, including stress and emotion control.
MOLIT is reviewing and improving the current qualification maintenance test and related regulations to enhance safety and reduce traffic accidents among elderly drivers.
