'Deregulation' D-15... PM Traffic Accidents Including Electric Kickboards Concentrated Among 2030s and Commuting Hours

A Comprehensive Analysis of 789 Accidents from 2017 to 2019
Most Accidents Caused by User Negligence
Compliance with Safety Rules and Infrastructure Development Essential

A citizen wearing no protective gear is riding an electric scooter weaving through cars on the Seoul Namsan Circular Road. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A significant number of traffic accidents caused by personal mobility devices (PM), such as electric kickboards, occur among young users in their 20s and 30s during commuting hours. However, accidents involving middle-aged and older adults aged 50 and above are also not insignificant. Since many accidents result from user negligence rather than lack of driving skills, strict adherence to safety rules and the development of comprehensive countermeasures are required.

In anticipation of the formal implementation of the revised Road Traffic Act, which will ease PM usage regulations starting next month on the 10th, this report analyzed all 789 PM traffic accidents that occurred from 2017 to last year. The year 2017 marks the first time PM traffic accident data was compiled based on the Road Traffic Authority’s Traffic Accident Analysis System (TAAS).

According to the data, the number of PM-related traffic accidents increased approximately twofold each year: 117 cases in 2017 (4 deaths, 124 injuries), 225 cases in 2018 (4 deaths, 238 injuries), and 447 cases in 2019 (8 deaths, 473 injuries).

By time of day, the highest number of PM traffic accidents occurred during the morning commute from 8 to 10 a.m., with 111 cases (14.1%). This was followed by the evening commute hours from 6 to 8 p.m. (101 cases, 12.8%) and 8 to 10 p.m. (89 cases, 11.3%). Except for the morning commute, most accidents happened during nighttime hours when visibility is poor. By day of the week, weekdays saw more accidents than weekends, with Tuesday recording 136 cases and Wednesday 120 cases?over 65% more than on weekends.

By age group, more than half of PM traffic accidents involved young users in their 20s and 30s. Users in their 20s accounted for the highest number with 258 cases (32.6%), followed by those in their 30s with 158 cases (20.0%). Notably, accidents involving teenagers and middle-aged or older adults aged 50 and above were also significant. Teenagers caused 100 accidents (12.6%). Since the revised Road Traffic Act will allow youths aged 13 and older to use PMs without a license, safety education at home and school is essential. Accidents involving those aged 50 and above totaled 156 cases (19.8%), which was even higher than those involving teenagers or people in their 40s.

The primary causes of PM traffic accidents were found to be driver negligence and carelessness rather than lack of driving skills. Incidents caused by failure to fulfill safe driving obligations, such as not paying attention to the road ahead, accounted for 490 cases (62.1%). Accidents caused by violations included in the "12 major negligent acts," such as running red lights or crossing the center line, accounted for 115 cases (14.5%). If a fatal accident occurs due to one of these 12 major negligent acts, the offender is subject to criminal punishment regardless of insurance coverage or settlement agreements.

To prevent related accidents, strict compliance with safety rules is essential. Users should familiarize themselves in advance with the regulations regarding roads where PMs are allowed and avoid speeding or sudden directional changes while driving. Additionally, experts suggest that securing infrastructure to reduce accidents is necessary. Sang-jin Han, Senior Researcher at the National Transportation Safety and Disaster Prevention Research Center of the Korea Transport Institute, stated, "Although PM use on bicycle lanes has been permitted, the lack of infrastructure means usage will be limited. Efforts are needed to clarify traffic priority in areas without bicycle lanes, and at the same time, more bicycle lanes should be secured."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.