The first half of 1999 saw 4,190 traffic accidents deaths, 0.9 percent fewer than the same period last year. But traffic fatalities among people aged 65 and older increased by 1.9 percent to 1,425, according to a National Police Agency report released Thursday.
Among fatal accidents involving the elderly, 987 victims, or 69.3 percent, had been walking or riding bicycles at the time, the NPA said, adding that accidents at intersections are on the increase. The NPA is urging drivers to be more cautious around elderly pedestrians and cyclists.
The report also says there were 393,980 accidents resulting in injury or death during the January-June period, up 5.5 percent from the same period last year. These accidents resulted in 485,814 injuries, up 5.7 percent.
The number of passengers killed fell 3.8 percent to 1,863, with the figure for victims aged 16 to 24 falling by 12.7 percent to 435, according to the report.
The numbers of deaths attributed to not wearing a seat-belt or speeding fell by 6.4 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively.
The fatality figures only include people who died within 24 hours of an accident.
The report also shows the number of "bosozoku" hot-rodder gang members arrested by police on criminal charges, including murder and assault, jumped by 25.1 percent to 3,035 during the first half of the year.