Cognitive impairment major factor behind fatal traffic accidents caused by Japanese seniors: police

TOKYO, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Around half of all the elderly drivers responsible for causing fatal traffic accidents in Japan last year were found to have signs of declined cognitive function and impairments including dementia, data released by the police showed Thursday.

According to the National Police Agency (NPA), in cases of 385 drivers aged over 35 who caused fatal accidents, 28 drivers may have had dementia and 161 others impaired cognitive functions.

The police said that those who were suspected of having dementia were likely awaiting an official diagnosis to be given by a doctor.

Amid a rise in traffic accidents involving senior drivers, Japan imposed stricter regulations last year and those diagnosed with dementia, for example, will have their driving licenses suspended or revoked.

Such drivers are being asked to voluntarily relinquish their licenses owing to the link between diminished cognition and fatal accidents and under the new laws seniors are required to see a doctor if they are suspected of having dementia.

When a driver who is aged 75 or older wishes to renew their license, or have been booked for a traffic violation, they are required to take a cognitive ability test to ensure they continue to possess the cognitive ability to safely operate a vehicle.

The cognitive tests were introduced in light of Japan's rapidly aging population and the increasing numbers of seniors behind the wheel.

The NPA said that there were 5.4 million drivers aged 75 or older on the roads as of the end of 2017.

Drivers aged 75 or older, including those who had not taken a cognition test, caused 418 fatal accidents in 2017 alone of which 41 percent were vehicle collisions and 19 percent involved collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.

According to the NPA's data, 194 people died in the accidents caused by drivers suspected of having dementia or impaired cognition, and cases where drivers mistook the accelerator for the brake pedal before causing a fatal accident where almost eight times higher among the elderly.

In a press briefing on the matter Thursday, National Public Safety Commission Chairperson Hachiro Okonogi said that the data on senior drivers reveals that age-related diminished cognitive function could lead to fatal accidents.

Okonogi said that people should intervene when they think their parents or grandparents are displaying signs of diminished capacity when driving and ask them to give up their licenses voluntarily. Enditem