Skip to main content

Risk for elderly on Japanese roads

Japan’s National Police Agency has revealed that the country’s road death figures increased slightly in 2015 compared with 2014. Total road fatalities for Japan in 2015 stood at 4,117, an increase of 0.1% from the previous year. There were 536,789 crashes in Japan during 2015, which injured 665,126 people. Of particular concern is the data showing that traffic deaths for those aged 65 or over rose by 2.5% to 2,247 in all, a worrying 54.6% of the total road fatality figure. Official information has not so fa
January 7, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Japan’s National Police Agency has revealed that the country’s road death figures increased slightly in 2015 compared with 2014. Total road fatalities for Japan in 2015 stood at 4,117, an increase of 0.1% from the previous year. There were 536,789 crashes in Japan during 2015, which injured 665,126 people. Of particular concern is the data showing that traffic deaths for those aged 65 or over rose by 2.5% to 2,247 in all, a worrying 54.6% of the total road fatality figure. Official information has not so far revealed why the elderly are at such a risk on Japan’s road network, which is amongst the most strictly enforced in the world.

On a more positive note however, the country’s measures to tackle drink driving appear to be having an effect. Japanese drivers seem to be getting the message that alcohol and motor vehicles do not make a good combination. Crashes caused by drunk driving dropped to just 203 incidents in 2015, a reduction of 10.6% when compared with 2014.

Related Content

  • New approach needed in Europe to help improve motorcycle safety
    August 22, 2012
    The European Commission is proposing that part of its controversial new Anti-Tampering regulations for motorcycles should be re-written to prevent custom motorcycle builders from using long-forks. This is the latest in a series of requirements in the regulations to attracted criticisms from motorcycle manufacturers, dealers, safety campaigners and enthusiasts groups.
  • French road accidents continue to increase
    February 22, 2012
    The latest official data shows that France’s worrying trend for increased road accident levels is continuing.
  • Cracking down on drug driving
    April 16, 2012
    New laws being established in the UK will crack down on those driving under the influence of illegal drugs. A panel of experts has been appointed by the UK Government to investigate the various issues involved. Existing laws in the UK have been described as inadequate to address the issue, prompting this move. There is a large body of research showing that illegal drug use presents a serious problem to road safety in the UK and other nations. Studies show links between drug use, criminal activity, varying v
  • Drop in US road deaths for 2024
    May 23, 2025
    The US has seen a drop in road deaths and a road safety improvement for 2024.