A 70-year-old man’s car plowed into a crowd at a traditional market in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, resulting in multiple injuries and one fatality, sparking calls for enhanced driver capability evaluations for the elderly. The police have confirmed that the driver, identified as A, had previously been diagnosed with dementia and was taking medication. A, aged 74, has been booked on charges of violating the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling for causing a fatality.
The incident occurred as A drove a 2007 Equus vehicle, accelerating into the market after overtaking a bus, leading to injuries to 12 people and the death of a man in his 40s. CCTV footage and driver statements suggest driver error, with indicators like brake lights operating normally at the time of the crash. It was noted that A wasn’t undergoing dementia treatment or taking medication on the day of the accident.
As the incidence of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers continues to rise, with cases increasing from 31,072 in 2020 to 39,614 in 2023, there is growing attention on the need for more robust policies. Despite the Korean government’s efforts, such as amending the Road Traffic Act in 2019 to shorten the aptitude test interval for drivers aged 75 and older from every five years to every three years, calls for more effective measures persist.
Under current laws, police can conduct aptitude tests using mental illness information from the National Health Insurance Corporation, but this mainly applies to severe dementia cases with prolonged hospitalizations. A had renewed his license after passing such a test in September 2022.
The police are considering introducing “conditional licenses,” which restrict activities like night driving or expressway use, for high-risk individuals regardless of age. Ongoing discussions with the medical community aim to address the impact of cognitive impairments on driving abilities, as emphasized by a police official who highlighted the need for continuous dialogue on the criteria for these tests.