national

13% of fatal traffic accidents between 2012 and 2016 occurred during twilight hours: survey

17 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

17 Comments
Login to comment

Way too much data flying around in this article. I got a headache trying to read it. They shoulda focused on one point.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Sometimes percentages don't matter. 13% doesn't seem like much. The difference between 5-6p and 6-7p is statistically insignificant. Actually, the 7-8p period might also be statistically insignificant as well.

Wearing seat belts saves lives ... unless there is a bear in the car too. https://japantoday.com/category/national/april-car-accident-victim-likely-devoured-by-bear

That last paragraph is just wrong, oh so wrong. Sometimes a table really is useful.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have noticed many articles about the number of X or percentage of Y are heavy on the statistics but very very short on analysis. This article is an extreme example.

Like those last three paragraphs: numbers (1675, 2000, 911) tagged with percentages (8.3, 8.6, 54.4) mixed with years (1956, fourth, half-year) combined with ages (65 and older).

All of which say: deaths down. Why are deaths down? Given all the stats the article includes about when a minority of accidents happen (twilight) there is no analysis as to why accidents are decreasing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Borscht is right in that the article throws out various conflicting statistics without telling us what they suggest.

Japanese use the word "kuruma-banare" to indicate fewer young people buying cars, but I don't know if this affects total km driven. If it's down, it could be the main factor in failing deaths. Progressively better roads and safety tech like airbags and pre-collision braking will be factors too. If there are more deaths at twilight in winter, this could be because more people are moving about at 5pm than are at 7pm in summer.

As an observation, I don't think Japanese drivers use headlights enough in heavy rain or snow. Once its dark though, they will overuse high beams. My town even tells drivers to use high beams as default and to turn them off when they see a car coming. I gave up jogging at night time because of high beams. As a pedestrian you become so blind that you cannot see your own feet.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They should have DRL (Daylight Running Lights - which are on all the time) installed on all cars and trucks and operating. The number of times I see ( or don't see until late) cars in tunnels in the daytime is very high, it's not as if switching your lights on costs anything. Main beams, or the sub-bumper foglights, should be used any time visibility is compromised, such as around sunrise/ sunset, rain, fog, snow. The habit of switching off lights at junctions (for courtesy) is also dangerous, as drivers move off and don't switch their lights back on. And finally, pedestrians should not assume that as soon as they put a foot on the road, all cars will stop instantly. They seem totally unaware of both reaction time and braking distance. They also have a responsibility to make sure that they do not harm themselves, and cause trouble to road users.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

13% is less than 1 in 5. Minuscule and not deserving of a headline of this poorly written article

0 ( +0 / -0 )

From one hour before sunset to one hour after is two hours in total. That is 8 1/3% of the total number of hours in the day. Given that there is very little traffic on the roads from, say, 2200 to 0430, it is probably safe to say that the percentage of fatalities during the two hours mentioned in the article is not too different from the percentage of traffic on the road during those hours. For instance, two divided by 17.5, the number of hours from 0430 to 2200, yields a result of just under 11%.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

They should have DRL (Daylight Running Lights - which are on all the time) installed on all cars and trucks and operating.

Yes!

It has been shown ages ago to be very effective. I can't figure out why it's not done here and elsewhere.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

13% of accidents during the time when most people are on their way home and the roads are crowded.

Very underwhelming statistic any way you spin it.

I'd like to see the NPA's statistics of accidents and deaths resulting from their lazy lack of enforcement of child-seat laws or texting and driving. Where are the police when truck drivers speed down the same roads every day inches from school kids?

the NPA is close to useless

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hard to sum up all the stats from a 75 page report in 300 words.

The full report is here - http://www.npa.go.jp/news/release/2017/20170913001kamihannki29.html

Interesting read.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A chart or two would be nice.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think that a bar or pie graph/chart for me would make more sense.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does anyone know why the police keep making these reports and not just go out and enforce the traffic laws more regularly?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sums up most academic papers I have read by Japanese. taught to memorize not analyze

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its a common fact globally that the Twilight hours are the most dangerous for both Drivers and Pedestrians.

Within Tokyo, I've noticed Drivers here don't dip their headlights, preferring full beam and blinding whoever is oncoming... that is a real pain. Also the newer electric cycles have their headlights now more facing forward than downward which also adds to the problem.

Families should push the Twilight matter home to Kids and ensure that they are both aware, and are visible whilst walking or cycling home at this time. Its a dangerous time, not just here in Japan, but everywhere Globally.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

13% seems low for rush hour. Silly stats

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites