INTRODUCTION

The yearly traffic fatalities in Japan peaked in 1970 at 16,765 and since then decreased to 8,466 in 1979 owing to the various measures taken. In the subsequent years,however,they began to increase again, and ex ceeded 10,000 each year since 1988. In other words,we are just in the midst of the "Second Traffic War".

It is very important to continue conventional safety measures. It is,nevertheless,inevitable to scientifically and accurately find much more effective measures.

ITARDA systematically collects the data and expertise accumulated in the government ( National Police Agency, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Transport), links those data and conducts comprehensive investigations and analyses of road traffic accidents. This analysis leads to more effective traffic safety measures and contributes to the creation of a safer, more orderly motorized society.