More fatal than DUI? Rising death toll linked to elderly drivers sparks concern in Korea

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Traffic accidents and injuries declined last year in Korea, but fatalities linked to elderly drivers increased, highlighting growing safety concerns in an aging society.

According to the 2025 traffic accident statistics released by the Korean National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority Thursday, the total number of traffic accidents fell to 193,889, down 1.3 percent from the previous year. The number of injuries also dropped 2.4 percent to 271,751.

However, total fatalities rose 1.1 percent to 2,549.

Accidents involving elderly drivers — typically defined in Korea as those aged 65 and older — increased significantly. Such accidents rose 8.3 percent year-on-year to 45,873, while related deaths jumped 10.8 percent to 843.

Accidents involving elderly pedestrians also edged up 1.7 percent to 11,498.

Authorities said the rise reflects demographic changes, noting that the elderly population grew from 9.93 million to 10.51 million, an increase of 5.8 percent. The number of driver’s license holders in the same age group also rose 8.9 percent, from 5.17 million to 5.63 million.

Pedestrian accidents overall declined 3.7 percent to 35,356, but fatalities among pedestrians increased slightly by 0.7 percent to 926.

Motorcycle accidents fell 7.6 percent, yet related deaths rose 7.5 percent, showing a similar pattern in which fewer accidents still resulted in more severe outcomes.

In contrast, drunk driving accidents and fatalities decreased by 6.2 percent and 12.3 percent, respectively. Deaths from highway and truck-related accidents also showed a downward trend.

"Traffic safety measures focused on elderly people are needed," said Lee Seo-young, a police agency official, adding that authorities plan to expand outreach education programs and distribute safety equipment for elderly citizens.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.