# Chapter 3. Major Road Traffic Safety Measures

### 1. Selective development of traffic safety facilities

During in FY1999, the fourth year of the Seven-Year Program for Provision of Traffic Safety Facilities, the following projects were implemented.

(1) Widening sidewalks; creating community zones in residential areas; upgrading traffic lights to enhance their responses to pedestrians; and installing more road lights and road signs.

(2) In order to prevent accidents on school routes, improvements were made to sidewalks, traffic signals, aboveground and underground pedestrian crossings and road signs.

(3) The causes of accidents occurring at “black spots” on trunk roads were analyzed. Measures to prevent accidents were then formulated and implemented based on the analysis. These include improving intersections, installing road lights and traffic lights, and reviewing traffic regulations.

(4) To help prevent vehicle accidents, traffic lights were upgraded to take advantage of more advanced technology, intersections were improved and more traffic lanes were added to roadways. In addition, to prevent nighttime traffic accidents, speed restriction systems and more road lights were installed.

(5) As part of the Universal Traffic Management Systems (UTMS), the operation of traffic management systems was upgraded or enhanced, through measures such as improving central control systems and traffic information relay equipment.

### 2. Improvement of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

Extensive research and development, testing and infrastructure work have been underway in accordance with the “Basic Guidelines on the Promotion of Intelligent Transport System (ITS)” drawn up in 1996 by five ministries and agencies.

### 3. Promotion of Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures to improve transport efficiency and level out traffic demand across time and space have been comprehensively promoted.

Also, the government has been assisting new development and implementation of the Comprehensive Plans for Improving Metropolitan Traffic Flow project, which combines promotion of greater traffic capacity, multi-modal, and TDM measures.

Another current initiative, involving related government ministries and agencies, is the Omnibus Town Project, a comprehensive set of measures to make more effective utilization of bus services.

4. Expanded system for promoting the development of safe road traffic environments

The Road Traffic Environment Safety Promotion Conference was organized to discuss planning, management and evaluation of road traffic safety measures. This initiative was launched to implement traffic regulations more effectively and integrally with roadway development with the ultimate aim of establishing safe road traffic environments.

### 5. Promoting more widespread use of Child Restraint System (CRS)

Promoting the use of child restraints is an important objective of the Nationwide Traffic Safety Campaign. To promote the use of Child Restraint System (CRS), related organizations worked together to hold a seminar to provide education on the use of the child restraints and to support promotion of child restraint rental and recycling projects.

### 6. Ban on the use of mobile telephones while driving

Since November 1, 1999, the use of mobile phones while driving is illegal. To inform the wider public of this new stipulation, various publication and education activities were undertaken. Also, when driving license holders renew their licenses, they are informed about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.

### 7. Implementation of Regional Traffic Safety Check

Traffic safety inspections were conducted in a total of 1,347 areas around Japan, with the voluntarily participation of local people and road users. The results of the inspections prompted measures such as the repair of sidewalks and installation of traffic lights.

### 8. Providing information on Motor Vehicle Assessment

The motor vehicle assessment project releases results of collision tests. A side crash test has now been added to the existing frontal crash test and the range of test cars has been expanded to cover light motor vehicles and other vehicle types. In addition, information on how to properly use safety devices such as air bags and child restraints was also provided.

### 9. Expanded system for promoting vehicle safety measures

In September 1999, the Vehicle Safety Measures Review Council was established to examine guidelines and details of vehicle safety measures, to evaluate measures before and after implementations and to develop long-term plans for the measures.

### 10. Improvement of rescue and first aid systems

Medical helicopters with doctors on board were installed at two Rescue and First Aid Centers on a trial basis with the aim of saving more lives on the roads.