<Anchor> This
is a friendly economic time.
Reporter Han Ji-yeon is here.
Today (14th) is news related to the elderly driver's license return system.
First of all, the accident rate of older drivers is rather high.
<Reporter>
Last year, there were 56,000 accidents involving elderly drivers, accounting for 28% of the total.
In terms of fatalities alone, it was more than this, accounting for 37%.
Considering that the ratio of elderly drivers is 11.9%, the accident rate is much higher.
In December of last year, an accident in which a grandmother and 18-month-old granddaughter were hit and killed, a convenience store rushing accident that occurred four days after that, and the most recent accident at a service area on the 18th of last month were all elderly drivers in their 70s and 80s.
In particular, one driver stated in the police investigation, "I got confused between the accelerator and the brake," and as you get older, your cognitive ability naturally declines.
In particular, 'still vision', the ability to grasp objects, is also reduced, and there is a lot of room for traffic accidents.
As a result of a survey by the Korea Transportation Research Institute, static vision deteriorated from the age of 40, and by the age of 60, it fell to 80% of those in their 30s.
<Anchor>
So, you say that there is a system for returning senior driver's licenses, but there aren't that many seniors who actually return them?
<Reporter>
Yes, starting with Busan in 2018, it is operated by local governments across the country. The age limit for license return varies by local government, but the national average return rate is only 2.1% for those aged 65 or older, which is Korea’s ‘old age’ standard.
The reason why it is so poor is because the elderly often choose transportation as a job.
As an aging population progresses, people must continue to earn money even as they get older, and many enter the transportation industry, such as taxis and buses, which are relatively easy to enter.
Even in everyday life, if you return your license, it becomes inconvenient to move immediately.
The problem is that there are no suitable alternative means of transportation, especially in rural areas.
For this reason, some have pointed out that the level of transportation costs or local gift certificate benefits provided by returning the current license is insufficient to increase the return rate.
<Anchor>
But are there some local governments that have increased benefits?
Seeing this kind of local government, there was a slight increase, the return rate.
<Reporter>
Yes, taking Jeollanam-do as an example, until last year, incentives worth 100,000 won were given in lump sum, but from this year, five times, up to 500,000 won, and up to 30% discount at restaurants and hospitals. Performance has risen sharply.
The number of voluntary returns for those over 70 years of age has more than doubled from 1,30 in 2019, and has risen to 2,240 as of the end of September this year.
In particular, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, which raised up to 500,000 won, had 256 people last year, but in January and February, when the amount was raised, 276 people flocked to it, which is more than the one-year performance.
The problem is the budget.
The performance has been raised, but the budget is running out and we are no longer accepting applications. Last September, 11 million won was secured in the supplementary budget and only 22 more people were received for a week.
There were many local governments who made such a mistake in demand forecasting. Gwangyang-si, Gurye-gun, Gokseong-gun, and Hampyeong-gun are expected to receive applications again next year as their budgets run out.
<Anchor>
How are you doing abroad?
<Reporter>
Overseas, various policies were being pursued. First, in Japan, you can use the bus for free for two years after you return your license.
Alternative means, such as sharing a corporate commuter bus, are also in place.
When seniors renew their licenses, the content of inspections is also increasing.
In Japan, starting in May this year, dementia tests are also required.
In the United States, several states have eye exams and aptitude tests.
Some states also have restrictions on driving in case of health problems or non-compliance with traffic laws.
The 'conditional driver's license system', which is already in effect in Japan, Germany and Australia, aims to be introduced by 2025 as well.
It is to arrange in advance where the elderly can drive and when they can drive.
For example, let them drive only during the day, or restrict highway travel.
It remains to be seen whether this system can reduce accidents while guaranteeing the mobility of elderly drivers.