Japan to Lower Residential Road Speed Limit to 30 kph Tues.

Tokyo, Aug. 31 (Jiji Press)–The speed limit on residential roads in Japan with no center lines or maximum speed signs will be lowered to 30 kilometers per hour from the current 60 kph on Tuesday. The measure is aimed at reducing accidents in urban areas with heavy pedestrian traffic and narrow streets, marking a major shift in the country’s traffic rules as these roads account for around 70 pct of all ordinary roads nationwide. The number of children and elderly people killed in traffic accidents on residential roads has remained steady at around 300 per year, despite the declining trend in traffic accidents overall. The government decided in July 2024 to revise the statutory speed limit to address the situation. Under the rule change, the maximum speed on ordinary roads with no speed signs or road markings and no white center lines or median strips will be set at 30 kph, above which the risk of pedestrians suffering fatal injuries in accidents is said to spike. Max speeds on major roads with multiple lanes will remain at 60 kph. Where speed limit signs, such as 40 kph, are posted, the existing restrictions will take precedence. The change is expected to mainly affect roads less than 5.5 meters wide that are primarily used by local residents. However, there is no formal definition of “residential roads,” and the 30 kph limit would apply even on streets that do not pass through residential neighborhoods. Police have said that statutory speed limit signs have been installed on roads that do not require the 30 kph limit, such as those outside urban areas with little pedestrian traffic. The aim of the speed limit change “is to prevent accidents by stopping dangerous driving, such as failing to slow down even on busy streets,” a senior National Police Agency official said. “We will analyze traffic volumes and the numbers of accidents, and step up enforcement where necessary.” The agency said it will take measures that will not impede traffic during speeding enforcement even on narrow roads, such as using portable speed cameras. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]