Omiseop, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, Ensures Safe Mobility Rights for Persons with Disabilities and Others

Oh Miseop, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council, announced on the 23rd that the 'Ordinance on Insurance Subscription and Support for Electric Mobility Devices for the Disabled and Elderly' was passed at the 315th extraordinary session.

The ordinance primarily requires insurance subscription to cover liability for third parties arising from the operation of electric mobility devices. It stipulates ▲matters related to insurance subscription, ▲matters related to insurance claims, and ▲matters related to exclusions from insurance payments.

Electric wheelchairs are classified as ‘pedestrians’ rather than automobiles under the Road Traffic Act, so they travel on sidewalks. Major accidents include collisions with pedestrians ahead (50%), pedestrian collisions at intersections (21%), damage to vehicles in motion (12%), and pedestrian collisions while reversing (9%), causing harm to others.

This ordinance is expected to provide a basis for insurance subscription for disabled and elderly users of electric mobility devices, thereby reducing their financial burden.

Councilman Oh said, “I request the executive branch to promptly and actively implement this so that the burden on users of electric mobility devices is reduced even slightly, allowing them to engage in safe activities without difficulties.”

Shin Dongho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy bless4ya@asiae.co.kr

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