[Anchor]
Recently, there was a serious accident in Daegu involving an electric car that is suspected to have experienced sudden acceleration. Both the taxi driver and a passenger sustained severe injuries.
The number of incidents involving suspected sudden acceleration in electric vehicles has been on the rise in recent years. Upon investigating with various vehicle manufacturers, it was found that these accidents were primarily concentrated in domestic vehicles, which have a high market penetration.
Our reporter, Park Ga-young, brings you the details.
[Report]
A taxi, equipped with an electric motor, was ferrying passengers when suddenly, it collided with a car that was illegally attempting a U-turn. As a result, the electric taxi experienced an immediate surge in speed, reaching a staggering 188 km/h.
Despite the driver’s frantic attempts to apply the brakes, he was unable to regain control. Subsequently, the taxi crashed into another vehicle waiting at a red light, causing it to overturn. Continuing at high speed, the taxi eventually collided with a tree and skidded several tens of meters before coming to a halt.
The repercussions of this incident were dire, with both the taxi driver and a passenger sustaining serious injuries. The taxi driver remarked, “I tried pulling the handbrake and shutting off the engine, but it seemed like the computer malfunctioned during the crash.”
Offering their account as a passenger, Mr. Byun Hyun-sik stated, “The car was accelerating at an alarming rate. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the much-talked-about sudden acceleration issue I’ve heard about.”
To date, only 31 incidents involving suspected sudden acceleration in electric vehicles have been reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. While electric vehicles comprise just 2% of all vehicles, they account for 20% of accidents involving suspected sudden acceleration.
Analyzing the data obtained from KBS regarding these incidents, it becomes apparent that Hyundai holds the highest market share at 42%, followed by Kia at 23%, and Renault at 16%. Notably, these figures represent the percentage of accidents attributed to each vehicle model.
Experts in the field suggest that, like their foreign counterparts, vehicle manufacturers should integrate a ‘kill program’ to halt a vehicle in the event of suspected sudden acceleration. This measure would ensure the safety of both the driver and passengers.
It is worth mentioning that, thus far, no incidents have been attributed to vehicle malfunctions in cases where electric vehicles suddenly accelerate.
This is Park Ga-young reporting for KBS News.
Cinematographer: Baek Jae-min
CG Graphics: Inpureum
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[앵커]
Recently, an electric car accident suspected of sudden acceleration occurred in Daegu, and a taxi driver and a passenger were seriously injured.
Suspected electric vehicle acceleration accidents are increasing every year, and when KBS checked with every vehicle manufacturer, they found that the accidents were concentrated in domestic vehicles with a high penetration rate.
Reporter Park Ga-young covered the story.
[리포트]
An electric taxi transporting customers.
Suddenly, he hits the back of the illegal U-turn car and accelerates, reaching a speed of 188 km/h in an instant.
[“(브레이크 잡아요. 안돼요?) 안돼, 안돼. 브레이크 잡았어.”]
The taxi ended up hitting a car waiting at a red light and it flipped over.
The taxi crashed into a tree here and skidded for several tens of meters before finally stopping.
Two people, including the taxi driver and a passenger, were seriously injured in this accident.
[택시 기사/음성변조 : “사이드 당기고 시동 끄고 막 계속 했죠. 충돌하면서 컴퓨터 작동이 오작동 안됐나…”]
[변현식/택시 승객 : “굉장히 빨리 가속하면서 달리고 있는 겁니다. 혹시나 이게 말로만 듣던 급발진이 아닌가.”]
So far, only 31 accidents involving suspected sudden acceleration of electric vehicles in Korea have been reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and electric vehicles account for only 2% of r all vehicles However, among accidents with suspected sudden acceleration, electric vehicles account for 20%.
Looking at the suspected status of electric vehicle sudden acceleration accidents obtained from KBS, Hyundai has the highest penetration rate of 42%, including 6 cases of the A model, followed by Kia with 23%, including 3 cases of the B model, and Renault , with 3 cases of the C model, at 16%. The accident centered on the car.
Experts say, like foreign manufacturers, a ‘kill program’ should be introduced to force a vehicle to stop running when sudden acceleration is suspected.
[김필수/대림대 미래자동차학과 교수 : “테슬라라든지 일본의 도요타가 3-4년전부터 소프트웨어 킬 프로그램을 넣기 시작했어요. 자동차 제작사도 책임을 갖고 함께 해결할 수 있는 (제도가 필요합니다).”]
There has not yet been a single case where a vehicle fault has been recognized among accidents where an electric vehicle accelerates suddenly.
This is Park Ga-young from KBS News.
Cinematographer: Baek Jae-min/CG Graphics: Inpureum
■ Report
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▷ Telephone: 02-781-1234, 4444
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