Fundamental Analysis of the Ages of Children and Road Structures Involved in Traffic Accidents

The population of children in Japan has steadily declined, and the percentage of the population aged 14 years or younger is smaller than in other countries. Therefore, it is important to protect children by preventing their involvement in traffic accidents. Recent trends associated with elementary school students show that 90% of accidents occur while walking or riding bicycles. This study aims to clarify the road structures in which traffic accidents involving walking or bicycle-riding children occur. For this purpose, we analyzed the trends based on the age of children and road structures involved using statistical data provided by the Ishikawa Prefectural Police Headquarters. The results showed that the accident rate among students of elementary school age and younger while walking or riding bicycles was mainly high on one-lane roads, roads with no division, and roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h or less. We conclude that to reduce pedestrian and bicycle accidents for students of elementary school age or younger, raising traffic safety awareness among automobile drivers who use community roads is important.

Automated summary

The population of children in Japan has been steadily declining and the percentage of children aged 14 and under is lower than in other countries. In order to protect children from traffic accidents, it is important to understand the road structures where accidents involving walking or bicycle-riding children occur. The results of this study show that accidents involving elementary school students and younger children are more likely to occur on one-lane roads, roads with no division, and roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h or less. Raising traffic safety awareness among automobile drivers using community roads is crucial in reducing pedestrian and bicycle accidents for elementary school students and younger children.