Figure 11 Fatalities by Type of Involved Party

Note: Source: Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis

Figure 12 Fatality Rates by Road User Type

2. Fatality rate = Number of fatalities / Number of casualties

(4) The overall fatality rate of secondary parties (0.5%) is far lower than that for primary parties. From this, we can reach the general conclusion that the parties less to blame for accidents have the lower fatality rate. (See Fig. 12)

Traffic safety measures considered from the standpoints of high-risk groups and accident victims, and future directions in this area

### 1. Measures to protect high-risk groups

(1) Some of the measures taken to make road traffic environments more friendly for the people at greatest risk of traffic accidents include: establishing walking spaces to assure pedestrian safety, e.g. making wider sidewalks; creating community zones; making traffic safety facilities such as traffic lights sensitive to pedestrians including the elderly, and installing better road lighting; implementing living zone restrictions, such as zones for schoolchildren and the elderly; constructing systems to assure safer passageways for pedestrians; and implementing comprehensive traffic safety inspection.

(2) Traffic safety education programs have been organized for infants and children. Traffic safety education programs, with an emphasis on participation, experience and practice, have also been organized for the elderly.

(3) Measures have been taken to make road traffic environments more friendly to bicycle riders. Other measures include stricter treatment of traffic violations by bicycle riders, holding bicycle safety classes at schools, and removing and disposing of abandoned bicycles.

(4) Education and guidance on proper use of seat belts is provided through traffic safety classes, traffic safety campaigns and various other activities.

Also, on the occasion of the Nationwide Traffic Safety Campaign, a national campaign was conducted to promote more widespread use of child safety seats. (From April 1, 2000, it is mandatory for all children under six years old to be seated in child safety seats while travelling in motor vehicles.)

(5) Some of the vehicle-related measures taken to protect people most at risk from traffic accidents include: promoting vehicle design improvements to protect pedestrians; promoting vehicle design improvements to reduce damage in collisions between large and small vehicles; and promoting development of passenger protection devices such as child restraints.

(6) Measures taken to ensure safer mobility for non-vehicle users and the elderly include: expanding public transport services; installing wide sidewalks around stations in urban areas, hospitals, welfare facilities, etc.; and reducing the level differences and steepness of existing sidewalks.

### 2. Promotion of rescue measures for traffic accident victims

(1) Measures taken to improve rescue and first aid systems for traffic accident victims include: promoting the wider spread of first aid skills; improving voice assistance for 119 (ambulance) calls and emergency medical treatment facilities; and implementation of an emergency report system.

(2) Measures taken to improve support to victims of traffic accidents include: reforming the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance scheme to offer better protection to traffic accident victims and improving system administration; improving the quality of traffic accident consultations; supporting people who incur serious disabilities in traffic accidents; supporting children who survive their parents lost in traffic accidents; and giving more consideration to victims during traffic accident investigations.