One Week Before Deregulation... Another Kickboard Fatality Occurs

Collision with Signal-Violating Motorcycle, Ultimately Fatal
Emergency Measures Needed for Youth Safety

Reference photo of an electric kickboard.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] A fatal accident occurred where an electric scooter rider was hit by a motorcycle just one week before the deregulation of 'Personal Mobility devices (PM)' such as electric scooters. With teenagers also allowed to operate without a license, urgent measures are needed to ensure safety.

According to the police on the 3rd, an accident occurred the previous day on the Seoul Nambusunhwan-ro where Mr. A, riding an electric scooter, collided with a motorcycle. Mr. A lost consciousness and was transported to a nearby hospital where he received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment but ultimately passed away. It was confirmed that the accident was caused by the motorcycle violating a traffic signal. At the accident scene, Mr. A was found collapsed with bleeding from his head and was not wearing a helmet. The motorcycle driver, Mr. B, also sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.

According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, traffic accidents involving PMs such as electric scooters have surged about twofold each year, from 117 cases in 2017 to 225 in 2018, and 447 last year. During this period, there were 16 deaths and 835 injuries. Related accidents have continued this year as well. In October, two high school students riding an electric scooter together in Incheon collided with a taxi; one of the riders driving in front died, and the other was seriously injured. It was also confirmed that they were not wearing helmets.

On the 1st, a 'PM Electric Kickboard Safety Accident Regulation Compliance Urging Press Conference' was held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, hosted by the Korea Bicycle Organization Council. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The problem is that PM-related regulations will be relaxed starting from the 10th. Anyone aged 13 or older can operate without a license and are allowed to use bicycle lanes. Although helmet wearing is mandatory, no separate penalty regulations have yet been established. Especially with teenagers legally allowed to use PMs, concerns about accidents are high. According to a survey conducted last month by the office of Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu targeting 10,000 teachers, parents, and students, 92% responded that concerns about safety accidents have increased, while only 22% supported deregulation. Twelve educational organizations, including the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) and the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU), held a press conference demanding a full reconsideration of the deregulation of electric scooters, emphasizing the need to strengthen operator licensing standards by requiring traffic safety training or raising the minimum driving age.

The police have urged PM users to comply with safety rules. A National Police Agency official stated, "We will actively promote the traffic methods and driver obligations for PMs under the revised Road Traffic Act in cooperation with PM sharing and rental companies and strive to spread a culture of safe PM use," adding, "Please follow rules such as wearing safety gear and prohibiting riding with two or more people."

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