Japan used to accrue some of the highest rates of road fatalities in the world, but things changed drastically in the early 1970s when the country began to radically change its infrastructure and transportation.
As traffic deaths are on the rise in the U.S., policymakers are looking for answers that could help reduce the number of accidents
and fatalities on U.S. roads. According to Bloomberg
, Japan saw fewer than 3,000 crash deaths in 2021— the fewest road fatalities of any year since record-keeping began in 1948—compared to a staggering 43,000 in the United States. Per capita, that’s just 2.24 deaths per 100,000 people for Japan, while the U.S. saw 12.7 deaths per 100,000. So how does Japan do it? Read on with the car ownership experts at Jerry
to learn three road safety
lessons that the U.S. can learn from Japan. Rail transit saves lives
One of the biggest ways that Japan reduced traffic fatalities was through an increased emphasis on public transit infrastructure. Japan’s intercity bullet trains are so fast and reliable that many times they are faster and more convenient than driving.
While some cities in the U.S. boast robust public transit programs, there is no intercontinental system that comes close to Japan’s dense network of rail lines. Even within cities, the Tokyo Metro accommodates twice as many daily passengers as the New York City subway system.
Japan’s booming public transit system also makes driving an option for many residents, rather than a necessity, which is essential to making use of every inch of Japan’s limited space.
“[Japanese residents] don’t often drive, because a well-established public transit system supports their mobility,” said Takashi Oguchi, an engineering professor at the University of Tokyo to Bloomberg.
Garage parking is a must
Many Americans, especially those in large cities or more densely populated areas, rely on both residential and public street parking rather than garages. In Japan, that’s a no-go.
Car owners in Japan must obtain a special “garage certificate” that shows they have a secured place to store their car, as leaving it parked on the street is not an option. This not only acts as somewhat of a deterrent to car ownership but makes streets more pedestrian-friendly.
Without other cars being parked on the street, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike have more room and more visibility.
Cars are smaller
The SUV has been the go-to choice for American drivers for some time now, but the purported safety benefits of larger vehicles are somewhat of a catch-22.
Sure, larger cars do tend to perform better overall in crash and safety tests, but cars like SUVs, vans, and minivans are more likely to get in an accident overall due to lower visibility and blind spot issues.
In Japan, the pint-sized Kei car remains a popular and affordable choice for drivers, making up about a third of all new car sales.
These cars are lightweight, and their small size means fewer visibility issues or blind spots for drivers, but they haven’t gained much traction outside of Japan.
Because of the necessity of frequent highway driving for many Americans, finding a market for smaller cars is more difficult, and even those that have found their way to U.S. markets have not been popular.
MORE: How Did This Car Pass a Crash Test Without Airbags?
How safer driving can save you money on car insurance
Moves are being made across the U.S. to make infrastructure improvements and implement more safety technology in vehicles, but massive infrastructure and lifestyle changes aren’t going to happen overnight.
One way you can help keep everyone on the road safer is by following traffic safety rules. Having a clean driving record can have perks for you as well, and potentially lower your insurance rates.
Even if your driving record has a few flaws, the car insurance comparison shopping and broker app Jerry can help you find the lowest rates.
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