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Starting tomorrow, restrictions on personal mobile devices, such as electric boards, will be relaxed.
The age limit has been lowered and it is possible to ride a bike without a helmet.
In recent years, the number of electric skateboard accidents is increasing and concerns are mounting.
Let’s connect journalists and hear detailed stories. Reporter Park Ki-wan!
First, what will be different tomorrow?
[기자]First, even unlicensed youth ages 13 and older can drive without a helmet.
Electric scooters have been classified as motorized bicycles, like motorcycles, and can only be operated on general roads, not sidewalks or bike lanes.
Now, with the revision of the Road Traffic Law, it can be considered as a personal mobility device and a bicycle.
Although there are mandatory regulations for helmet use, all related regulations have been relaxed, such as the elimination of fines.
However, the restrictions on driving while intoxicated are still in effect.
In the case of shared electric scooters, the use of young people under 18 years of age is restricted according to an agreement between the companies and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
In addition, there are places where the use of a helmet is mandatory according to the management policy of local governments such as Han River Park.
[앵커]In fact, we have delivered a lot of news about the electric skateboard accident, but are there any safety issues?
[기자]Yes.
Electric skateboard accidents are also increasing rapidly due to the recent increase in use.
In particular, even now, when there are restrictions on helmets, there are many cases of serious injury from not wearing helmets.
Traffic accidents involving private vehicles, such as electric scooters and electric wheels, increased from 117 cases in 2017 to 447 cases last year, and the victims nearly quadrupled.
There is great concern that more accidents will occur with relaxed regulation.
First of all, about 60% of the bicycle paths in Seoul are used for pedestrians, so the risk of pedestrian accidents may increase.
Since it is difficult to verify the driver’s license every time, there is practically no way to avoid the use of elementary school students under the age of 13.
[앵커]The concern is so great, why is regulation being relaxed?
[기자]This was to re-regulate personal mobility devices like electric scooters and electric wheels in our law.
As it was a new means of transport, there were no clear rules and consequently the regulation itself was ambiguous.
In May, the National Assembly added the concept of ‘personal mobile device’ to the Road Traffic Law,
It is defined as a means of transport with a speed of 25 km / h and a weight of less than 30 kg.
When the danger of driving on a highway was pointed out here, a bicycle road was opened.
There are many reasons, but it is also interpreted as a measure to increase the growth potential of a new industry.
[앵커]As the criticism continues, are you also pushing for new regulation?
[기자]The National Assembly is promoting a plan to strengthen the regulation of electric scooters.
It has been 7 months since the National Assembly approved the deregulation bill.
First of all, only those who are 16 years or older with a motor vehicle license can drive an electric scooter, and the penalty for safety equipment like helmets is also revived.
The relevant amendment was approved by the standing committee last week and is expected to be tabled as an agenda in today’s plenary session.
Even so, the measures to re-rule will be implemented in the first four months due to the maintenance of the enforcement ordinance.
As government policies come and go, citizens and businesses are bound to be confused.
Additionally, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security are also pushing separate bills for personal mobile devices, so confusion will inevitably increase in the future.
Hear from the experts.
[김필수 / 대림대 자동차학과 교수 : 각 부처별로 찔끔찔끔 나오다 보니까 어느 게 진짜냐 하고 일선에서 혼동을 일으키고 있거든요. 새로운 총괄관리법이 필요한데, 총체적으로 하나로 정리해줘야 하거든요. 규정도 애매모호 해서 이제는 나이가 도대체 몇 살인지도 모르겠어요.]As you may have heard, the first priority is for the government to properly reorganize politics with a single channel.
However, since the relaxed regulations apply for at least four months from tomorrow, there will be trial and error, so drivers and pedestrians will need to pay attention to accidents.
So far, the Ministry of Social Affairs has handed it over.
Park ki-wan [[email protected]]
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