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

  • Concerns over increased US road fatality rate in 2012
    November 25, 2013
    Data from the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that highway deaths increased to 33,561 in 2012, an increase of 1,082 over the figures for 2011.The official Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data reveals that the majority of the increase in deaths, some 72%, occurred in the first quarter of 2012. Most of those involved were motorcyclists and pedestrians. This newly released data marks the first increase in road related fatalities in the US
    Read More
  • Western construction firms operating in developing nations face extra challenges
    January 9, 2024
    Contracting firms carrying out road construction works in developing nations can face extra challenges - Gordon Feller reports
    Read More
  • Older drivers in the US hit record numbers
    December 20, 2017
    The number of older drivers on the US road network continues to increase. According to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the number of drivers on the US road network hit a record- high in 2016 at 221.7 million. Of these, 41.7 million are 65 years or older. This age group is growing faster than any other, and is far outpacing their teenage counterparts.
    Read More
  • Kenya seeing gain in road safety?
    May 17, 2018
    Newly available crash data suggests an improvement in road safety in Kenya. In the period from January 1st to May 14th 2018, there were 1,095 traffic incidents, compared with 1,139 for the same period in 2017. The number of people being killed or seriously injured also dropped to 4,193, compared with 4,676 for the same period in the previous year. The figures were released by Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority, which said that primary factors involved in crashes included driving under the influ
    Read More

Highlighted Content