Traffic Safety in Japan
National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM)
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), JAPANContents
1. History of Road Safety in Japan
2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer11. History of Road Safety in Japan
1) Changes in Road Traffic Accident
2) Laws and Action Programs for Road Safety
3) Results of Past Efforts21) Changes in Road Traffic Accident --- Fatalities

1.History of Road Safety in Japan “Traffic war” led by motorization became a social problem in the 1960s.
 Fatalities reached a record high of 16,765 in 1970.

Number of Fatalities(*1,000people)

 In 2016, the number decreased down to 25 % of the 1970-level.

20
1816,765(1970)
Highest in the past

1614
12
10
8
6

"Traffic war" years
Full-scale Effort Started

4203,904(2016)
23% of 1970's

Data from National Police Agency

19651970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Fig-1 Changes in Road Traffic Accident Fatalities within 24 hours*

2020*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 24 hours due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

31.History of Road Safety in Japan1) Changes in Road Traffic Accident--- Accidents, Fatalities, Casualties, Cars Ownership Accidents and injuries in around 2000 were more than in “Traffic way” years.
 Number of cars is about 4.5 times the 1970-level.

Fatalities(*1,000)
Injuries(*100,000)
Accidents(*100,000)

18161490"Traffic war" years

Registered Cars

70

Fatalities

12Injuries

10050
30

6260
40

8480

20

Accidents
Data from National Police Agency
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

10Number of cars(million cars)

200Fig-2 Changes in Road Traffic Accidents and Number of Cars, etc.

*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 24 hours due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

41) Changes in Road Traffic Accident --- Accident Rate

1.History of Road Safety in Japan

 Current accident rate is less than one third of the 1970’s rate, although thenumber of accidents is same level with the 1970’s.
317.7(1970)

Accident rate(/100million vehicle-km)

300

150

900,000

718,080(1970)

250
200

1,000,000

Down
to 1/4800,000
700,000Accidents
573,842(201500,000
Accident Rate

0400,000
300,000

10050600,00073.7(2014)
Data from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Fig-3 Accident Rate and Road Traffic Accidents

Number of accidents

350200,000
100,000052) Laws and Action Programs for Road Safety

1.History of Road Safety in Japan Laws and action programs were established from the view points of all traffics
and road traffic.
Law

Action Program

1960 Road Traffic Law
1966 Emergency Measures Law
on Provision of Traffic
Safety Facilities

1966 The 1st three-year plan of Traffic
Safety Facilities Improvement
Program1970 Traffic Safety Policies Law

1971 The 1st Fundamental Traffic Safety
Program2011 The 9th Fundamental Traffic Safety
Program2012 Priority Policy Plan on Infrastructure
Development63) Results of Past Efforts

1.History of Road Safety in Japan The results were introduced by cooperative implementation among related fields

Engineering• Increased road safety facilities(Sidewalk, Pedestrian overpass, Guardrail,
Center strip, Lighting, Traffic signal, .. )• Development of expressway• Enhancement of vehicle safety
Enforcement• Decline in drunk driving• Increased use of seatbelts

Decrease ofRoad
Accidents

Education• Increased awareness to traffic rules
73) Results of Past Efforts --- e.g. Sidewalks

1.History of Road Safety in Japan(b) 0-15 years(a) All age-groups
Accidents(/100 million pedestrian-km)

Accidents(/100 million pedestrian-km)

Accidents(/100 million pedestrian-km)

 The construction of sidewalks introduced safety for especially children.

(c) >65 years

Fig.- 4 The Effectiveness of Sidewalk Construction on 2-lane roads (Accident data : 2000-2003)
Source : Integrated accident DB83) Results of Past Efforts --- e.g. Road Lightings

1.History of Road Safety in Japan The installation of road lightings were more effective against vehicle-pedestrianand head-on collisions.
41.7 %(a) Vehicle – Pedestrian Collisions(b) Head-on Collisions(c) Rear-end collisions(d) Single-vehicle accidents

Fig.-5 The Effectiveness of Road Lighting Installation on Non-intersections
Source : Integrated accident DB93) Results of Past Efforts--- e.g. Expressways and Arterial Roads

1.History of Road Safety in Japan The construction of expressways and arterial roads contributed improvement ofroad safety.

x 14x2

Accident rate
Fig. -6 Accident Rates by Road Types (Accident data : 2011)
Data from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

103) Results of Past Efforts --- e.g. Drunk Driving

1.History of Road Safety in Japan The penal regulations for the drunk driving
The penal regulations for the drunk driving from 2007
Penalty
Driver

Person who provided
a vehicle

Drunken Driver

Imprisonment with work for not more than 5 years or a fine ofnot more than 1,000,000 yen

Driving under the influence ofalcohol

Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of
not more than 500,000 yen

Refusal to take a breath test

Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 months or a fine of
not more than 50,000 yen

Drunken Driver (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 5 years or a fine of
not more than 1,000,000 yen

Driving under the influence ofalcohol (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of
not more than 500,000 yen

Person who provided
alcohol, Person whorecommended
drinking,Drunken Driver (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of
not more than 500,000 yen

Driving under the influence ofalcohol (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 2 years or a fine of
not more than 300,000 yen

Passenger

Drunken Driver (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 3 years or a fine of
not more than 500,000 yen

Driving under the influence ofalcohol (Driver)

Imprisonment with work for not more than 2 years or a fine of
not more than 300,000 yen

・Drunken Driver :The driver clearly appears to be intoxicated in the opinion of the police officer enforcing the law.
・Driving under the influence of alcohol :The driver’s breath alcohol content exceeds 0.15mg/l.
111.History of Road Safety in Japan

3) Results of Past Efforts --- e.g. Drunk Driving

20,00018,0001,500
16,37615,18016,00013,87814,0001,000

11,626

12,00010,000

781

8,000

712

7,561

709
611

6,219

6,000

5,726

5,556

5,030

433

4,000

Accident

2,000
0The number of fatal accidents concerning with drunk driving

The number of accidents concerning with drunk driving

 The penal regulations for the drunk driving

305

292

Fatal accident
2003

2004

2005

290

270

500
4,603

4,334

4,155

256

238

227

Data from National Police Agency
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

012

2. Current Efforts
to Make Roads Safer
2.1 Targets in 2020 and Future Priority Policies- in The 10th Fundamental Traffic Safety
Program

2.2 Efforts to Improve the Effectivenessof Road Improvements132.1 Targets in 2015 and Future Priority Policy

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer---- The 10th Fundamental Traffic Safety Program ---Target in 2020
(1) Fatalities is less than 2,500.
(2) Injuries is less than 0.5 million.

Future Priority Policies(1) Ensure safety of the elderly and, pedestrians and cyclists, oncommunity Roads.
(2) Priority issues to create an environment with feweraccidents.
a. Promoting the use of advanced technologies
b. Promoting carefully planned measures based on actual traffic conditions, etc.
c. Promoting traffic safety measures encompassing entire regions.
*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 24 hours due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

14Characteristics of Current Road Traffic Accident 1/4

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･ 69% of all accidents on arterial roads are concentrated on 20% of all arterial
road sections.

全国（幹線道路） 死傷事故率(/100 million vehicle-km)（件/億台km)
2,000(Accident data : 2007-2010)

Accident
rate of 100 or higher
事故率100以上
Accident
rate of less than 100
事故率100未満

Accident Rate

1,500
死傷事 1,000
故率69% of all優先対策区間：約15万区間
accidents on arterial roads are（全体の２２％の区間に死傷事故の７１％が集中）
concentrated on 20% of all non-intersections
and intersections

500

With traffic accidents : 50%
事故発生区間：５０％

100

Without traffic accidents: 50%
事故の発生していない区間：５０％00

144,000

200,000

400,000

600,000

約71万区間
710,000

Number of Non-intersection and Intersection※全国の国道・都道府県道約18万kmにおける４年間（H15～18）の平均事故データから作成

Fig.-7 Ranking Curve of Sections based on Accident Rate
Source : Integrated accident DB

15

Characteristics of Current Road Traffic Accident 2/4

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･

 The 65 or more years age-group fatalities per population is more than otherage-groups, furthermore this group is high compared with other countries.

Fatalities(/population)

16.0
14.0

Data from IRTAD report
Accident data : 2014

12.4

12.0
10.0

8.1

8.0
6.0

5.8

4.9

6.4

4.2

4.0
2.0
0.0

Japan

Sweden0-14 years

U.K.
15-24 years

Germany
25-64 years

FranceUSA>65 years

Fig. -8 Fatalities by Age-group per Population*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 30 days due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

16Characteristics of Current Road Traffic Accident 3/4

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･

 The proportion of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities is about half, this is very highcompared to other countries.
Fatalities by type of parties(/100,000 population)

12.0
10.0

Data from IRTAD report
Accident data : 2014

8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0

Pedestrians

0.62
1.49

0.30

0.53

0.19

0.68
U.K.

0.50

0.64

Japan

SwedenGermanyCyclists

Motorcyclist and pollion passengers

0.26

0.24
0.78
FranceVehicle occupants

1.54USAOthers

Fig. -9 Fatalities by Type of Parties per Population*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 30 days due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

17

Characteristics of Current Road Traffic Accident 3/4

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･

 The proportion of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities is about half, this is very highcompared to other countries.
100%

209

273

82

24484

694

Number of fatalities(2012)

1,435

1,053
1,575

998

839
1,663

618

200

10,553
80%

166

122

60%

810
888
11,926

40%

353

39

674
790

1590%Germany

499

France464

52

726

1,753

1,910
53

4,884

SwedenPedestrians

4,178

4,586

396

523

272

116

33
20%

1,566
738

U.K.
Bicyclists

U.S.
Motorized 2-wheels

JapanVehicles occupants

Korea

156

217

530

Cambodia

Malaysia

Other*”Fatalities within 24 hours” means those who, died within 30 days due to an accident that was caused by the traffic of trains and vehicles.

18

Characteristics of Current Road Traffic Accident 4/4

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･

Comparison of Accident Rate(2011/2001)

 Bicycle-bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian accidents only in 2011 increased
compared to 2001, they are about 1.5 times.

1.63
1.45

2.0
1.5

Second Party

1.0

PedestrianBicycle
Motorcycle

0.50.0Vehicle

First Party

Data from National Police Agency

Fig. -10 Rate of Change of Accidents by Type of Parties192. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer

2.2 Efforts to Improve the Effectiveness ofRoad Improvements
1) Designation of Hazardous Spots to be Improvedby Priority based on Data
2) Management Cycle for Effective Implementationof Hazardous Spot Countermeasures3) Improvement of Bicycle Travelling Space20

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve the Effectiveness of Road Improvements

1) Designation of Hazardous Spots to beImproved by Priority based on Data211) Designation of Hazardous Spots to be Improvedby Priority based on Data

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Hazardous SpotsYear

Designated spot number

Effectiveness

1996

3200

-32.9%

2003

3956-32.1%

2008

3396

2013

3490

2016

3125

≪Criteria in 2016≫
・ 1,000 or more accidents/billion vehicle km
・ 100 or more serious accidents/billion vehicle-km
・ 10 or more fatal accidents/billion vehicle-km
All of the three above are satisfied.
Identify the spots

Integrated Database of Road Traffic Census and Accident221) Designation of Hazardous Spots to be Improvedby Priority based on Data

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Integrated Database of Road Traffic Census and Accident
Traffic Accident Data

Road Traffic Census Data

Incident date and timeAge, Sex (1st party, 2nd party)
Num. of fatalities, serious injuries, slight injuriesType of accident
Road surface condition
Road alignment
Law violation
･････
etc.

Route number
Section Length
Num. of lanes, Carriage way width
Length of sidewalk, center stripTraffic volume
Average travel speed
Roadside condition
･････
etc.

Integrate
Integrated Database of Road Traffic Census and Accident
Accident Occurrence Characteristics on Each Intersection/Each Section with Specific Length
Num. of accidents
Accident rate
Composition ratio of accident type
Before-after/with-without effects of sidewalk/road safety facilities
Ranking the section according to the accident rate
Identify the spots over some criteria・・・・・ etc.
231) Designation of Hazardous Spots to be Improvedby Priority based on Data

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Use of Integrated Database

Accident Number/Ratein each section
Fig.-12 Accident Number in Each Section of a National Highway241) Designation of Hazardous Spots to be Improvedby Priority based on Data

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Use of Integrated Database

Concentration at specificlocations

Legend300 - (cases/100 million vehicle-km)
200 - 300 (cases/100 million vehicle-km)
100 - 200 (cases/100 million vehicle-km)- 100 (cases/100 million vehicle-km)

Fig.- 13 Distribution of Accident Rate on Road Network25

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve the Effectiveness of Road Improvements

2) Management Cycle for Effective
Implementation of Hazardous SpotCountermeasures

262) Management Cycle for Effective Implementation ofHazardous Spot Countermeasures --- PDCA-cycle【Plan】

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･【Act】

Casual Analysis atHazardous Spot
Improving Original Plan
Planning Countermeasures【Check】【Do】

Identifying and Analyzing
Problems

Implementing
Countermeasures

Evaluating Effects
Fig.- 14 PDCA-cycle
Road Safety Engineering and Management, JSPP 21, Jun 25, 2015272) PDCA-cycle

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Traffic Safety Measures and Evaluation Manual
Guideline for Improving Road Safety at Hazardous Spots“Traffic Safety Measuresand Evaluation Manual”
Systematically organizing the procedures and thepoints of from planning to action.

“Guideline for Improving Road Safetyat Hazardous Spots”“Traffic Safety Measures andEvaluation Manual”

Organizing the methods of site observation, causal
factor analysis, and countermeasure planning.

and“Guideline for Improving Road
Safety at Hazardous Spots”
282) PDCA-cycle

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･

Consideration steps in the Guideline
1) Road structure2) Accident Type3) Accident process4) Causal Environment5) Countermeasures

Improvement of Road Safety at Hazardous Spots
292) Management Cycle for Effective Implementation ofHazardous Spot Countermeasures --- PDCA-cycle

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･【Plan】【Act】

Casual Analysis atHazardous Spot(Example of registered data)“Road Condition”“Traffic Condition”“Accident data”“Process of Planning
Countermeasures”(Concept of Countermeasures)“Countermeasures”

Planning
Countermeasures【Do】
Implementing
Countermeasures

Improving
Original Plan
【Check】
Identifying andAnalyzing Problems

Evaluating Effects

Registration of the contents of the roadsafety countermeasures at each hazardous
spots

Accident Countermeasures Database302) Management Cycle for Effective Implementation ofHazardous Spot Countermeasures --- PDCA-cycle

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･【Plan】【Act】

Casual Analysis atHazardous Spot
Planning
Planning
countermeasures inreference to theexample of theindividual spot

Countermeasures【Do】
Implementing
Countermeasures

Improving
Original Plan
【Check】
Identifying andAnalyzing Problems

Evaluating Effects

Accident Countermeasures Database312) Management Cycle for Effective Implementation ofHazardous Spot Countermeasures --- PDCA-cycle

2. Current Efforts to Make ･･･
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･【Plan】【Act】

Casual Analysis atHazardous Spot
Planning
Guideline for
improving Road
Safety at HazardousSpots(“Technical Reportof Road Safety
CountermeasurePlanning”)
AnalysisCountermeasures【Do】
Implementing
Countermeasures

Improving
Original Plan
【Check】
Identifying andAnalyzing Problems

Evaluating Effects

Accident Countermeasures Database32

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve the Effectiveness of Road Improvements

3) Improvement of Bicycle Travelling SpaceRoad Safety Engineering and Management, JSPP 21, Jun 25, 201533

4) Improvement of Bicycle Travelling Space(a) Bicycle Path

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･(b) Bicycle Lane(c) Bicycle Space in Vehicle Lane (Bicycle travel mixed with automobile)
Photo-7 Types of bicycle space
34

Effectiveness of Improving Bicycle Travelling Space

2. Current Efforts to Make Roads Safer
2.2 Efforts to Improve ･･･ All types of bicycle travelling space reduced the accidents bicycle involved.
 Accidents bicycle involved decreased particularly on roads where bicycle paths or bicycle
lanes were provided.
423.8

Bicycle Accidents(case/year-km)

26%

32.8

1036%

323.7

12.40

BeforeAfterBefore

4.5
43.5
32.5
21.5
10.50

After

(b) Bicycle Lane(a) Bicycle Path
Bicycle Accidents(case/year-km)

Bicycle Accidents(case/year-km)

414%
3.5

3

BeforeAfter(c) Bicycle Traffic Space Painted on Bicycle-Pedestrian Path
Fig.-21 Decrease of Number of Accidents from to after Improvement

Data from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

35SummaryIn order to improve road safety more effectively and efficiently,
important things are as follows:
1. Set of nation’s targets, and efforts by all related organizations toachieve the target.
2. Promotion of appropriate measures based on the characteristicsof road accidents. In order to do so,1) Identification of national/regional serious road safety problems basedon analysis of accident data, and challenge to solve those problems bystrategic programs decided by related organizations(from the viewpoint of road improvement)2) Identification of hazardous spots and implementation ofcountermeasures at those spots
3) Establishment of consideration methods of countermeasures
36