2,700 elderly drivers return licenses under Seoul program

As of March 21, 2,691 elderly drivers returned their licenses. / gettyimagesbank

By Kang Seung-woo

Seoul City's new program inducing elderly drivers to stop driving is prompting a positive response with nearly 2,700 turning in their driver's licenses in a week, the local government said, Sunday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled the plan, under which people aged 70 or older who return their licenses will receive a 100,000 won ($88) public transport card, March 15.

The program aims to reduce the increasing number of car accidents for which elderly people are responsible.

As of March 21, 2,691 people had returned their licenses.

“It takes a little bit longer to get an accurate count because we are taking applications at several places, but we are expecting the number will surpass 3,000 as of Friday,” a city government official said.

Licenses can be returned at 31 police stations and four driver's license test course centers.

Drivers eligible for the public transport card must be born before Dec. 31, 1949. Drivers who turned in their licenses between Jan. 1 and March 14 can also benefit from the program if they apply before Sept. 30.

According to the city government, 500 transport cards will be given to applicants in order of age, while 500 will be given by lottery among the elderly drivers who returned their licenses in advance.

Amid growing popularity, the local government is considering expanding the program.

The Busan Metropolitan Government introduced the incentive system for older drivers who stop driving. Along with the transport card worth 100,000 won, it also offers discounts for a variety of services, ranging from hospitals, restaurants and clothing stores to opticians.

As a result, the number of car accidents involving elderly drivers in 2018 fell 42 percent from the previous year.

Yangcheon-gu Office in western Seoul also launched a program this year for drivers aged 65 or older.