Traffic accidents involving the elderly in Kagawa Prefecture and introduction of driving safety support system

Kagawa Prefecture ranked highest in Japan in terms of the number of casualties per population unit of 100000 as of the end of November 1998. In particular, traffic fatalities involving the elderly, persons 65 years old or older, account for about 50%. In response to this situation, the Prefectural Police Headquarters established the “Research Group on Traffic Accidents Involving the Elderly in Kagawa Prefecture,” headed by Professor Ihara of Kagawa Prefecture, and has committed the whole police force to analyzing the factors causing elderly traffic fatalities and taking preventive measures. In view of such a difficult situation, we are convinced of the importance of promoting UTMS (universal traffic management systems), as well as introducing a driving safety support system suited to regional needs, and thus establishing a traffic environment which protects those who are more vulnerable in traffic, such as the elderly. The paper discusses the concepts behind this system