Japan’s older drivers face more checks

A new study in Japan has highlighted the need to address the ability of older drivers to optimise road safety and cut crashes. The study looked specifically at how best to avoid road crashes caused by a deterioration in the physical condition of each driver. This research was carried out by Keio University's Center for Integrated Medical Research's Mineko Baba. Japanese road crash data shows that in 2016, there were 459 fatal incidents involving drivers aged 75 years or over.
July 26, 2017 Read time: 1 min

A new study in Japan has highlighted the need to address the ability of older drivers to optimise road safety and cut crashes. The study looked specifically at how best to avoid road crashes caused by a deterioration in the physical condition of each driver. This research was carried out by Keio University's Center for Integrated Medical Research's Mineko Baba. Japanese road crash data shows that in 2016, there were 459 fatal incidents involving drivers aged 75 years or over. These 459 fatal crashes accounted for 13% of the total number of incidents involving road deaths. This figure showed a 7.4% increase from the number recorded 10 years ago.

Of note is that in 2016, 345,000 gave up their driving licences, an increase of 21% from the previous year. Japan does have an ageing population and with longer lifespans, the problem looks likely to increase.

Related Content

  • Research shows fall in US motorcyclist deaths
    May 13, 2014
    New research shows a drop in motorcyclist deaths in the US. The figures compiled for the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) show a 7% drop in motorcyclist fatalities in the US in 2013, compared with data for the previous year. However, the GHSA cautions that poor weather in 2013 may have had an effect, reducing the total distance travelled by motorcyclists and therefore the numbers of crashes. Research shows 2013 to be only the second year since 1997 in which there has been a drop in motorcyclist d
    Read More
  • Distracted driving dangers in the US
    June 1, 2023
    Distracted driving and lack of seatbelt use pose dangers in the US.
    Read More
  • Research shows male drivers more likely to overtake rashly
    July 1, 2013
    A new survey carried out in the UK reveals that male drivers are more likely to risk lives by overtaking blind and speeding on rural roads. As a result male drivers are being urged to be more careful. The survey was carried out jointly by safety body Brake and insurance firm Direct Line. The data reveals that 24% of drivers risk catastrophic head-on crashes by overtaking blind, while 44% admit speeding at over the national speed limit of 96km/h (60mph) on rural roads. Men are much more likely to take these
    Read More
  • Spanish analysis of crash data by vehicle type
    October 7, 2014
    Crash data analysis from Spain highlights key areas of concern with regard to the road safety of specific vehicle types. The report was compiled by Ponle Freno-AXA de Seguridad and covers the period from January-August 2014, analysing more than 176,000 collisions. Most dangerous of all, quad bikes were the cause of 83% of the crashes they were involved in. Meanwhile industrial vehicles and trucks were the cause of 80% of the crashes they were involved in. Vans were the cause of 65% of the crashes they were
    Read More

Highlighted Content