Despite the 2018 law allowing life sentences for fatal drunk driving cases, actual sentences range from two to eight years, much lower than Japan's 20-year sentences. South Korea, with less than half Japan's population, reports six times more drunk driving accidents, with a recidivism rate over 40 percent. Criticism also targets the lack of penalties for passengers and alcohol providers.
Another growing concern is accidents involving elderly drivers. A recent crash in Bucheon caused by an elderly driver killed four people. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older rose 36.4 percent from 2020 to last year, with their accident rate increasing from 14.8 percent to 21.6 percent.
This issue is not unique to South Korea; Japan reported a record 17 percent of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers in 2022. While aging affects cognitive and motor skills, the effectiveness of driving aptitude tests is questioned.
Additionally, lenient sentences for traffic offenses remain problematic, as seen in a case where an elderly driver received a maximum five-year sentence for a fatal wrong-way crash.
From 2020 to last year, South Korea recorded 71,279 drunk driving accidents, resulting in 1,004 deaths. Elderly drivers caused 3,678 fatalities, the highest among all age groups. These issues have become serious social problems, creating widespread anxiety about road safety.
As South Korea advances globally with its culture and industry, it must also modernize its traffic laws to address these challenges effectively.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
