Seoul City to Support 'Pedal Black Box Program' for Elderly Taxi Drivers with 400 Units

Quick Analysis of Causes Such as Sudden Acceleration

Up to 250,000 Won Subsidy Per Vehicle; Applications Accepted Until the 26th

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on March 9 that it will promote a subsidy program to support the installation of pedal black boxes for elderly taxi drivers. This initiative comes in response to the recent surge in suspected sudden acceleration and pedal misoperation accidents involving older taxi drivers.

Sudden unintended acceleration accident stock photo. Unrelated to the article content.

The purpose of the program is to swiftly analyze the causes of traffic accidents using pedal black box footage, clarify the facts, and thereby reduce complaints and disputes.

The pedal black box combines pedal operation patterns, driving footage, and speed changes to establish the facts of a traffic accident, and can be used as evidence in insurance, administrative, and judicial proceedings.

The support targets are taxi operators within the Seoul business area. Individual taxi owners may apply for one unit, while corporate taxi operators may apply for up to ten units.

A subsidy of up to 250,000 won per vehicle will be provided for the purchase and installation of taxi pedal black boxes, with a total of 400 units planned for installation.

The announcement period runs from today until the 24th, and applications can be submitted by mail, in person, or via email from the 19th to the 26th. Union members must submit their documents collectively through their respective unions (Seoul Taxi Transportation Business Association, Seoul Private Taxi Transportation Business Association), while non-members should apply directly to the Taxi Policy Division.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will select recipients based on the age of taxi drivers and their average monthly mileage. For corporate taxis, the proportion of drivers aged 70 or over and average monthly mileage (50 points each) will be considered. For individual taxis, the age of the operator and average monthly mileage (50 points each) will be taken into account.

The final recipients will be determined next month after review by the Local Subsidy Management Committee. Selected operators must purchase and install pedal black boxes that meet the minimum specifications set by the Seoul Metropolitan Government during May and June.

In the event of an accident, operators must cooperate in providing black box data for cause analysis and for improving driving behavior, and participate in surveys to assess the effectiveness of the program.

Half of the subsidy will be provided as an initial payment. The remaining amount will be paid after it is confirmed that the purchased products meet the minimum specification requirements.

Jangkwon Yeo, Transportation Policy Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We will swiftly distribute safety devices that provide immediate support in the field so that elderly taxi drivers can operate more safely and citizens can feel reassured."

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