On July 6, KB Financial announced that it will collaborate with the National Police Agency, the Korea Road Traffic Authority, and the Citizens' Safety Practice Alliance to implement a nationwide "Pedal Misoperation Prevention Device Support Project."
This initiative is part of a broader effort by KB Financial and the National Police Agency to establish an integrated safety system aimed at enhancing public safety. According to traffic accident statistics from the National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority, there were 45,873 traffic accidents involving elderly drivers last year, marking an 8.3% increase from the previous year. The number of fatalities also rose to 843, a 10.8% increase compared to the prior year.
To address this issue, KB Financial will allocate a budget of 300 million won (approximately $250,000) to support the installation of pedal misoperation prevention devices. The program will target 740 licensed drivers aged 65 and older who have received counseling from the Korea Road Traffic Authority. These devices are designed to mitigate the risk of accidents by preventing sudden acceleration when abnormal pedal operation occurs.
In addition to providing the devices, the program will include assessments of elderly drivers' capabilities and safe driving consultations. Data collected from participants using a virtual environment-based driving ability assessment system will be utilized for future research on enhancing traffic safety policies for elderly drivers and evaluating the effectiveness of the devices.
A representative from KB Financial stated, "We will support a proactive safety system that reduces risks rather than focusing solely on post-incident responses. We aim to expand our support nationwide to create a safe traffic environment without leaving any regions behind, fostering coexistence with local communities."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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