Increase in Emergency Dispatches Related to Electric Kickboards... Vehicle Collisions Account for 29%, the Highest Rate

Seoul 119, Total of 366 Ambulance Dispatches in the Last 3 Years... Average 18 Electric Scooter Fires Annually

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters has urged caution in the use of electric kickboards, stating that accidents related to electric kickboards have been steadily increasing over the past three years.

According to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters on the 9th, there were 366 dispatches of 119 emergency medical services due to electric kickboard accidents in Seoul over the past three years, increasing steadily from 57 cases in 2018, 117 cases in 2019, to 192 cases in 2020. By month, July recorded the highest number with 52 cases, followed by May, September, and October with 43 cases each, and June and August with 36 cases each.

Among the total 366 emergency dispatches, collisions between electric kickboards and vehicles accounted for 107 cases (29.2%), while collisions between electric kickboards and pedestrians were 25 cases (6.8%).

Since May 13, under the revised Road Traffic Act, only those aged 16 and older who hold at least a “Class 2 Motorized Bicycle License” can operate electric kickboards. Additionally, wearing a helmet is mandatory, and it is required to use bicycle lanes as a rule.

Furthermore, over the past three years, a total of 54 electric kickboard fires have occurred in Seoul. By year, there were 10 cases in 2018, 23 cases in 2019, and 21 cases in 2020, averaging 18 cases annually. By type of fire occurrence, more than half, 29 cases (53.7%), happened during charging, and 12 cases (22.2%) occurred while in storage. Also, among the nine electric kickboard fires reported up to April this year, five occurred during charging.

In response, the Fire and Disaster Headquarters advises that when charging indoors, if you plan to be away for a long time or sleeping, stop charging and turn off the power once charging is complete to prevent fire damage caused by overcharging.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “As the use of personal mobility devices rapidly increases, accidents are also rising,” and added, “Along with the convenience in daily life, we strongly urge everyone to strictly follow safety rules.”

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