Japan to lower residential road speed limit from 60 to 30 kph
The measure aims to reduce accidents in urban areas with pedestrian-heavy narrow streets, marking a major shift as they account for around 70% of ordinary roads nationwide.
Japan will reduce the residential road speed limit from 60 to 30 kilometers per hour starting Tuesday. This significant change aims to curb accidents in urban areas where pedestrians are common and streets are narrow. Around 70% of all roads in the country are residential, and the annual death toll from traffic accidents on such roads hovers around 300, despite a nationwide decrease in traffic fatalities.
The government announced the rule change in July 2024 to address the persistent issue of high-risk accidents involving pedestrians. Under the new regulation, ordinary roads without speed signs or markings, and lacking white center lines or median strips, will have a maximum speed of 30 kph. Higher-speed limits on major roads with multiple lanes will remain unchanged.
Existing speed limit signs will continue to apply where stipulated, such as those outside urban centers with minimal pedestrian activity. Police have installed statutory speed limit signs on roads not necessitating the 30 kph restriction. The authorities plan to enforce the new rule without disrupting traffic flow, using portable speed cameras where necessary.
While the exact definition of "residential roads" remains informal, the 30 kph limit will apply to streets less than 5.5 meters wide primarily used by locals, even if they don't pass through residential zones. The objective is to prevent dangerous driving behaviors, like failing to slow down on busy streets, by analyzing traffic volumes and accident rates.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
