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The number of road traffic accidents which took place in 1973 was 586,713
cases (a 11.0 per cent decline from previous year), the number of deaths was
14,574 persons (an 8.4 per cent decline from previous year) and the number of
injuries was 789,948 persons (an 11.2 per cent decline from the previous year))
indicating all-round declines from the previous year and registering declines
three years in a row since 1971. Accidents occurred most frequently in major
cities and their environs, but regional small and medium cities showed higher
accident rates per population.
To prevent traffic accidents, the Ministry of Transport endeavored to enact
laws and regulations for accident prevention and at the same time took up necessary
measures by appropriating an amount of Y140,600 million in the budget of fiscal
1973.
For the safety measures of road traffic, the Ministry endeavored to secure
further safety by strengthening the control by the Automobile Safety Standards
in addition to the existing Automobile Inspection System. Also to secure safety
of light vehicles which showed a rapid increase in recent years, inspection
of light vehicles (excluding bicycles) was taken up since October, 1973 by the
Light Vehicle Inspection Association (a body corporate). In addition, the Automobile
Accident Countermeasure Center was established for the purpose of accident prevention
and protection of victims.
To prevent accidents of railways and tramways, various measures were taken
upI-Such as improvements of rail tracks, development of operation safety measures
including the introduction of the ATS (automatic train stop) system and the
CTC (centralized train control) system) and improvements of train operation
control.
For safety measures of marine traffic, the Maritime Traffic Safety Law was
enforced. Also as a result of increases in small vessels like motor boats and
yachts in recent years, disasters of such vessels at sea are increasing. Although
such smaller vessels were beyond the objects of inspection in the past, it has
now been decided to make inspection of these smaller vessels to ensure their
safety.
For safety measures of air traffic, development of airports and air safety
facilities are underway. (Table24)
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