In Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, it was revealed that driver Kim (75), who caused an accident at Kaebi Market resulting in one death and 12 injuries, had been driving despite being diagnosed with dementia for over a year. Due to renewing the driver's license two months before the dementia diagnosis, legally, there was no way to prohibit driving. It is noted that Kim had not been taking dementia medication properly for nearly 10 months when the accident happened on the 31st of last month.
When suffering from dementia, cognitive function declines, reducing driving ability, and critics point out the lack of institutional measures to prevent such drivers. Abroad, there are methods for families to stop people with dementia from driving.
◇ diagnosed with dementia without treatment or medication for 10 months... accident occurred while holding a driver's license
According to the police on the 3rd, driver Kim, who held a Class 1 ordinary license, first received a preliminary diagnosis of dementia in February 2022 at a public health center in Yangcheon-gu. In September of the same year, Kim passed a fitness test and renewed the driver's license. Kim then received a dementia diagnosis at a hospital in Seoul in November 2023 and took medication for the first three months. In February last year, after running out of medication, Kim did not seek additional dementia treatment or prescriptions despite family encouragement. Subsequently, on the 31st of last month, Kim drove an Equus vehicle through Kaebi Market and crashed into a store, causing 13 casualties. Kim is under investigation for violating the Act on Special Cases concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents (causing death).
If suffering from dementia, the likelihood of causing an accident while driving increases. Choi Seong-hye, a professor of neurology at Inha University, said, "As dementia patients experience continuous cognitive decline over time, allowing them to drive is extremely dangerous," and added, "It is safe to stop driving concurrently with a dementia diagnosis."
◇ there are institutional loopholes that allow elderly people diagnosed with dementia to continue driving
Critics point out that the institutional flaws are why Kim was able to continue driving despite the dementia diagnosis. Under the current law, dementia patients are not allowed to acquire a driver's license in principle. However, Kim already possessed a driver's license and had renewed it two months before the dementia diagnosis.
To prevent accidents caused by elderly drivers, the government requires drivers aged 75 and older to undergo a fitness test every three years. This includes a mandatory Cognitive Impairment Screening Test (CIST). However, Kim did not take the CIST at the time of license renewal since Kim was 73 years old.
There is also a system where a dementia diagnosis from a hospital is automatically reported to the Korean National Police Agency, which then notifies the Korea Road Traffic Authority to undergo a fitness test. This system did not activate in Kim's case. Without limitations on the notification period for a dementia diagnosis, it may take several years to actually conduct a fitness test.
◇ in the U.S., Japan, and the U.K., family, roommates, caregivers, or friends can apply for 'driving cessation'
The Korean Association for Dementia notes that support from friends or family is needed to stop people with dementia from holding a driver's license and driving.
Countries like the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom operate a 'family reporting system.' In the United States, family members can request driving cessation by submitting a written report of the dementia patient's cognitive status to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In some states, roommates, caregivers, or long-term friends can also request driving cessation. In California, even those who are complete strangers to the dementia patient can request driving cessation.
In Japan, family members can report to the police to prevent dementia patients from driving. After receiving the report, the police can require a medical examination from the dementia patient's side and assess driving suitability using driving simulators before deciding on license cancellation.
In the U.K., it is required for dementia patients to self-report their condition to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If they do not report, they may face a fine of up to 1,000 pounds (approximately 1.8 million won).