## CHAPTER 1 Land Transport Safety

## Section 1 | Road Transport Safety

1 Improvement of Road Traffic Environment

To address the changes in the social situation such as the problem of a low birthrate and an aging population, there is a need to reform the traffic community to prevent accidents of children and ensure that the senior citizens can go out safely without fear. In view of this, people-first roadway improvements are being undertaken by ensuring walking spaces offering safety and security by building sidewalks on roads such as the school routes, residential roads and urban arterial roads etc.

In addition to the above mentioned measures, the road traffic environment improvement project is systematically carried out to maintain a safe road traffic network by separating it into arterial high-standard highways and regional roads to control the inflow of the traffic into the residential roads. Also, on the roads where traffic safety has to be secured, traffic safety facilities such as sidewalks are being provided. Thus, by effective traffic control promotion and detailed accident prevention measures, a safe traffic environment with a speed limit on the vehicles and separation of different traffic types such as cars, bikes and pedestrians is to be created.

1 Improvement of people-first walking spaces offering safety and security

(promoting building of sidewalks in the school routes)

2 Improvement of road networks and promoting the use of roads with high specifications

3 Implementation of intensive traffic safety measures in sections with a high rate of accidents

4 Effective traffic control promotion

5 Improving the road traffic environment in unison with the local residents

6 Promotion of accident prevention measures on National Expressways etc.

7 Application of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

8 Building a safe and secure environment for bicycles

9 Building a smooth, comfortable and safe road traffic environment

10 Promotion of Traffic Demand Management

11 Promotion of comprehensive parking measures

12 Improving the road traffic environment in preparation for disasters

13 Improving the road traffic environment for road safety

## 2 Dissemination and Reinforcement of Traffic Safety Messages

A gradual and systematic road safety training program is conducted according to the physical and mental development stages and life stages from childhood to adulthood using the Road Safety Teaching Guideline (National Public Safety Commission notification No. 15, 1998) etc. In this day of aging society, educational programs are being enhanced to raise traffic safety awareness among senior citizens, to give guidance to the other generations about the characteristics of the elderly people and stress the need to give more consideration to them for their protection. Also, the elementary, junior high and high school students who often use bicycles are being educated about how to use them safely as a foundation for future drivers.

1 Gradual and systematic road safety training promotion

2 Effective road safety training promotion

3 Promotion of road safety awareness and educational activities

4 Promotion of proactive efforts by the private organizations concerned with road safety

5 Promoting participation and cooperation of the residents