기사 메일전송
Let’s Use Electric Kickboards More Safely and Conveniently!
  • 강록기 정기자
  • 등록 2021-08-31 14:59:56
기사수정

 Electric kickboards have become common types of personal mobility in our lives. Personal mobility means small transportation vehicles usually run by electricity, including electric wheels, electric kickboards, electric bicycles, and ultrasmall electric vehicles. Students are increasingly using electric kickboards on campus and in the suburbs. Many university students use one to easily move up and down the steep hills of the school. It can be a means of transportation that makes our lives easier, but many accidents occur because riders do not follow the set rules. In response, Pharos wants to find out about the incidents that occur while using electric kickboards and the areas where laws are enacted. Hopefully we can have a campus where students who use electric kickboards are aware of safety.

 

 As the possibility of face-to-face classes increases in the upcoming second semester, many students are expected to use electric kickboards. The reason is that the topography of the school has many uphill and steep slopes. Therefore students use electric kickboards to conveniently get around on campus. However, you should always prepare for accidents caused by carelessness. In fact, one accident occurred at Myongji University in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The rider died while using an electric kickboard on the school campus. At that time, the student was not wearing a safety helmet and the cause of death was said to be a cerebral hemorrhage. Serious accidents can occur when electric kickboards are used without following the safety rules, not only on school campuses but also elsewhere.

 

 Accidents are happening more frequently outside of school as well. These days, many people can see electric kickboards all over the street, and as the number of users increases, accidents are increasing. According to traffic accident statistics in 2020, electric kickboard accidents have been on the rise since 2017, including 225 accidents in 2018, 447 in 2019, and 897 in 2020, showing an explosive increase in electric kickboard accidents over the last four years. The death toll has also risen: there were 4 deaths in 2017, 4 in 2018, 8 in 2019, and 10 in 2020. There are many reasons why so many accidents occur, but among them, obstacles such as bumpy roads, sewer holes, and speed bumps are the biggest factors. Unlike other means of transportation, electric kickboards cannot stop easily when people suddenly pop out or riders have to brake, causing accidents on bumpy roads and speed bumps. In addition, the “2020 Traffic Culture Index Survey” conducted by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority found that most users drive on non-designated roads. Plus, if you cross a crosswalk, you legally must push the kickboard instead of riding it. 21.4% of the users showed very little understanding of how to operate an electric kickboard and it was confirmed that 9 out of 10 people did not use protective equipment. In addition, the law has recently been revised, making electric kickboards only available to people over the age of 16 who have a driver’s license. Previously, 13 years old, or sixth-grade elementary school students, were able to use them, but many people felt it was too dangerous for minors who have not yet mentally or physically matured to drive their own mobility devices. Many electric kickboard users are still unaware of the revised bill, so they should be made aware of the current laws regarding electric kickboards.

 

 As of mid-2021, electric kickboards have an ambiguous legal status as follows: The rider must have a driver’s license above the motor license (different from bicycles and electric bicycles). Bicycle helmets should be worn (different from motorcycles). There will be a penalty for driving without a helmet (different from bicycles). Riders are not allowed to drive on sidewalks. Electric kickboards must be pushed along the sidewalk, which applies to all wheeled vehicles. However, the vehicle is allowed to be moved to the sidewalk for parking after completing the ride. You can’t drive on a motorway, including all highways and some expressways. If it meets the legal standards of an electric bicycle (weight less than 30kg and top speed less than 25km), it may be driven on a bicycle only road. In the case of electric kickboards exceeding the electric bicycle standard, it shall not be allowed to be driven on a bicycle-only road and shall be driven on the right side of the first lane, such as motorcycles of 125cc or less. In addition, common-sense safety regulations such as the prohibition of drunk driving and the prohibition of two or more people on board at the same time also apply. As you can see, the requirements that apply are different from bicycles and electric bicycles. In particular, driver’s licenses do not apply to bicycles or electric bicycles, which seems to be aimed at blocking the use by underage children (middle school students and younger). The smart mobility-related transportation law, which was revised in May this year, includes the rules described above and is expected to be better supplemented and improved in the future.

 

 Electric kickboards have already become all too common for the public as a means of daily transportation. If the electric kickboard disappears, it will cause a lot of inconvenience. However, we can be safe if we use electric kickboards properly and follow the regulations. Moreover, lowering the safety accident rate of our society through safety education and campaigning is a way to create a brighter society. It is impossible to restrict their use, but by regulating them, it is possible to create a society where electric kickboards are a strength instead of a liability. We hope that users and administrative agencies will cooperate well to create a safe society.

 

Planning Editor KIM DA HUN ekq8458@kyonggi.ac.kr

75th Reporter KANG ROK KI krk1754@naver.com

TAG
0
모바일 버전 바로가기