Road traffic accident trends in Japan are given and discussed in relation to Government targets for reduction in the number of road accident fatalities. These targets have been reached and exceeded and new targets set. In order to achieve these targets approaches will be made towards the following measures upon speculating future changes in social structures, such as future developments in IT and the progression of declining birth rates and an aging society: Accident analysis by using a drive recorder; Promotion of safety measures for pedestrians and the elderly; Promotion of neck injury prevention measures; Introduction of standards on crash compatibility; Research on advanced technologies, etc. A number of advanced safety vehicle (ASV) technologies are being put to practical use. Several ASV technologies, such as the lane-keeping assistance system and high-speed adaptive cruise control, have already been put to practical use, and are equipped in commercially-sold vehicles. Those with large effects in damage mitigation and accident reduction and those for which there are large social needs should be disseminated in an early manner, and thus, active dissemination measures that include means for incentives are necessary. Measures that are being taken in Japan have been described in this report, but in order to promote international harmonization in the aspects of further advanced safety and the environment in the future, it is perceived that approaches made in coordination with the ESV Conference, WP.29, ITS World Congress, etc.will become increasingly important. For the covering abstract see ITRD E145407.
Samenvatting