For 72-year-old Song Jun-sik, a resident of Busan, getting behind the wheel used to bring a quiet flicker of anxiety. He could feel his reflexes slowing down with age, but the thought of surrendering his driver's license felt like giving up his daily freedom and independence.
Mr. Song’s dilemma is far from unique. In Busan, South Korea's fastest-aging metropolitan city, nearly 17% of all drivers are aged 65 or older. With senior-involved traffic accidents rising, local authorities have encouraged elderly drivers to surrender their licenses. Yet, for thousands who rely on driving for their livelihoods or live in areas with limited transit options, giving up a license means choosing isolation over mobility.
When society offered only a binary choice—keep driving at risk, or give up your independence—Shincheonji Busan Church saw a third path: protecting senior mobility while actively building a safer road environment.
A Hands-On Solution Where Policies Fell Short
Rather than taking a passive approach, Shincheonji Busan Church stepped into this policy gap by launching a specialized safety initiative for 48 senior drivers among its advisory members.
The campaign began not with lectures, but with empathy and practical tools:
Facing Reality with Confidence: Seniors took tailored cognitive function tests to objectively assess their reaction speeds and driving skills. Empowered by self-awareness, 41 participants voluntarily signed pledges committing to responsible driving.
Overcoming Administrative Hurdles: Recognizing that sudden pedal misapplication is a major cause of senior accidents, church volunteers stepped in to handle the complex paperwork required to apply for pedal misapplication prevention devices.
Fostering Mutual Respect on the Road: Participants were equipped with magnetic vehicle stickers reading "Senior Driving" and "Thank You for Your Consideration," encouraging patience and warmth from neighboring drivers.
Youth and Elders: A Heartwarming Exchange of Care
The most inspiring chapter of this story unfolded when the church's youth members joined the effort as digital tutors. Sitting side by side with the elderly drivers, smart devices in hand, young volunteers patiently taught seniors how to navigate modern transit apps.
From calling a ride-hailing taxi with a few taps to searching for accessible bus routes, the youth gave seniors the key to alternative mobility—ensuring that even when they choose not to drive, they never lose their freedom to move.
"Quitting driving altogether felt overwhelming," shared Mr. Song with a smile. "The youth members not only helped me apply for safety technology for my car, but also taught me how to use transit apps step by step. Now, I feel confident that I can protect my own safety and the safety of others on the road."
Building a Sustainable Culture of Care
What began as a local campaign is now growing into a lasting safety net. Shincheonji Busan Church plans to expand this program across Busan by partnering with local senior welfare centers and veterans' organizations, ensuring that more elders receive both technological and emotional support.
As Tribe Leader Lee Young-no emphasized, creating safe roads is a collective responsibility. By utilizing the digital skills of its youth to serve the needs of its elders, Shincheonji is proving that true community care starts by listening to people's real-life struggles—and walking alongside them, one step at a time.
Source: https://vo.la/9WMJ9Eg
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