Slowing Down in Japan: A Cautionary Tale for City Planners Everywhere As the world grapples with the consequences of urbanization, Japan's decision to halve its speed limit on narrow city streets is a timely reminder that even the most developed nations can benefit from rethinking their approach to road safety.
The move slashes speeds from 60km/h to 30km/h on residential roads without center lines or maximum speed signs, in response to the alarming number of pedestrian fatalities in crowded urban areas.
The statistics are stark: despite overall traffic deaths declining to a record low last year, those involving children and older people on residential roads have remained stubbornly high.