36

TRAFFIC POLICE
1. Overview
In 2019, the total number of fatalities caused by traffic accidents was 3,215, the lowest since theNational Rural Police, the predecessor of the NPA, started compiling traffic statistics under thecurrent formula in 1948. Total numbers of traffic accidents and persons injured have declined overthe past fifteen years.
Trends in Numbers of Traffic Accidents and Fatalities (1966-2019)

Number of Traffic Accidents, Fatalities, and Persons Injured in 20192019
Accidents
Fatalities within 24 hours
Fatalities within 30 days
Injured381,237
3,2153,920
461,775

Change from theprevious year
-49,364-317-246-64,071％-11.5%-9.0%-5.9%-12.2%

2. Enforcement
The police analyze traffic accidents precisely and place emphasis on enforcement against vicious andserious violations, resulting in grave accidents including fatal ones, such as unlicensed driving, driving
under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, serious speeding violations and ignoring traffic signals. The
police also focus on illegal parking and reckless driving by motorcycle gangs (Bosozoku).
Among all the traffic violations, DUI of alcohol and unlicensed driving are the most serious issues.
The Road Traffic Act has been tightened against these violations in recent years. The police have been
putting great efforts into apprehending not only drivers but also those who aid and abet drivers tocommit such violations.
In addition, the police have also intensified efforts to hold corporations and employers responsible
for serious traffic violations committed by their employees.

37A. Measures against Motorcycle Gangs (Bosozoku)
Although stricter regulations and intensive
crackdowns on motorcycle gangs have led todeclining numbers of large-scale reckless driving
and members of motorcycle gangs, the publicdemands further measures against them.
As of the end of 2019, the number of motorcyclegang groups totaled 150 with 6,073 members.
46.0 percent (%) of the members were juveniles
under the age of 20. The police received
approximately 27,000 complaints from citizens
regarding motorcycle gangs and their reckless driving.
On top of its law enforcement efforts, the police, in close cooperation with local residents, schools
and workplaces, are working to promote and encourage motorcycle gang members to leave theirgroups.
B. Traffic Accident Investigations
In 2019, the number of traffic accidents causing
fatalities and injuries totaled 381,237.
To respond to the tremendous number of traffic
accidents, the police are introducing more
efficient tools and methods in their investigations.
One example is the installation of video cameras
which automatically record traffic accidents that
occur at intersections.

C. Traffic Policing on Expressways
In 2019, there were 7,094 accidents on expressways: 163 fatalities and 12,229 injuries.
The "Expressway Traffic Police Unit" has been established in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police
Department and every other prefectural police. This unit engages in various activities such as trafficenforcement, traffic control, and traffic safety awareness campaigns in order to secure traffic safety
and smooth flows on expressways.
D. Measures against Illegal Parking
Taking local residents’ demands and opinions intoaccount, the police focus enforcement on
dangerous and disturbing parking, such as parking
near pedestrian crossings and bus stops as well as
on arterial roads.
The police also work with local governments tocounter illegal parking by establishing local
ordinances against it.