고령운전자 교통사고 감소방안

With 10.7 percent of the elderly population (its people over 65), South Korea has already become an aging society in 2009 and is expected to be a super-aged society in 2026 where the aged will occupy about 20.8% of the population. Since the number and proportion of older drivers are rapidly increasing, it became ever more necessary to study on the characteristics of traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers and their physical characteristics. Equally pressing is the need to provide them with alternative transportation modes due to their infirmity. Given this background, this study proposes transportation safety policies to reduce the traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers. Firstly, it recommends developing systematic and professional education programs that evaluate the physical and mental capabilities of elderly drivers and compensate for identified deficiencies. Secondly, due to their infirmity, it is advised to enhance the standards of aptitude tests and shorten driver license renewal cycles for elderly drivers. Thirdly, it is necessary to revise the safety standards for the traffic facilities such as the luminous intensity of streetlights and the size and visibility of traffic safety facilities, considering the physical and mental characteristics of elderly drivers. Finally, alternative transportation services should be strengthened to reduce the demands for elderly drivers’ driving. To promote the schemes, physical and mental capabilities rather than age should be the criteria for policy determination, and the opinions of supporters and opponents should be considered as complementary.