Ahead of the spring national traffic safety campaign starting on the 6th, Prime Minister Kishida stated at a government meeting that, in light of the number of traffic accident fatalities starting to increase last year, there will be a number of measures taken on school routes throughout the country as the new school year begins. I have instructed relevant ministers to take all possible safety measures.
Prime Minister Kishida said that although traffic accidents are on the decline in the long term, last year the number of deaths from accidents, including those involving children, increased due to increased social activity as the new coronavirus moved to Category 5. I explained that the number has started to increase.
"The new school year is about to begin in many schools. We need to ensure a safe road traffic environment in order to protect the irreplaceable lives of children who have a bright future from being harmed by tragic traffic accidents, and to realize a ``children's-centered society.'' "I would like them to work on these issues," he instructed the relevant ministers.
The conference also discussed the approximately 76,000 school routes nationwide that were found to be dangerous as a result of an inspection conducted three years ago following an accident in Yachimata City, Chiba Prefecture, in which five children were hit and injured by a truck. It was reported that safety measures such as the installation of sidewalks and protective fences had been taken at most of the locations.