[Critecom YouTube channel]
South Korean taxi drivers aged over 65 would have to go through regular medical examinations to prove they are mentally and physically fit enough to take the wheel as concerns grow among passengers at a high rate of accidents by senile drivers.
The transport ministry on Friday proposed a revision to the public transportation law to have all taxi drivers aged between 65 and 69 years old to receive a mandatory medical examination every three years. Older drivers would have to get tested every year.
As South Korea joined the ranks of the fastest aging societies in the world, elderly taxi drivers now take up 19.5 percent of all. The ministry said 4,138 traffic accidents involving an elderly taxi driver took place last year. No comparable figures were given.
Regardless of how good their driving skills are, elderly drivers are prone to accidents due to their slow reaction. Complaints about dozing or traffic accidents involving elderly drivers have surged on online communities.
A tourist bus was flipped sideways in November last year, killing four and leaving 22 passengers injured. The tragic accident was caused by a sedan, which was driven by a 76-year-old man and suddenly changed lanes.
When the sedan driver was arrested later, he claimed that he realized the accident took place, but did not know he was responsible.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
