Photo/Illutration National Police Agency Commissioner General Yasuhiro Tsuyuki, at a March 7 news conference in Tokyo, calls for an end to motorists’ reckless practice of using cellphones while driving. (Shimpachi Yoshida)

Despite increased penalties for distracted driving, a record number of deaths and serious injuries were caused by motorists using cellphones and other devices in Japan last year.

National Police Agency statistics showed that 122 distracted driving accidents resulting in death or serious injury occurred in 2023, up by 40 percent from the previous year and the most since official records on such accidents first became available in 2007.

According to the data, drivers using devices such as cellphones caused 25 fatal accidents in 2023, six more than in the previous year. The number of deaths was 26, up by seven from 2022, including 14 pedestrians.

Ninety-seven accidents, up by 28, caused 109 serious injuries, 37 more than in the previous year. Of the injured, 49 were drivers or passengers, 21 were pedestrians, 17 were motorcyclists, and 16 were cyclists.

The former record for distracted driving deaths and serious injuries was 107, set in 2018.

The following year in December, the revised Road Traffic Law took effect with stricter penalties for distracted driving.

Although the number of accidents initially dropped after the revisions, the figures have now risen for three consecutive years.

“Working on cellphones and other devices while at the wheel is extremely dangerous, and any form of distracted driving is unacceptable,” NPA Commissioner General Yasuhiro Tsuyuki said at a news conference on March 7.

Including distracted driving resulting in minor injuries, the accident total was 887 in 2023, up 127 from the previous year and marking the third straight annual increase.

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When asked why they were using their phones at the time of the accidents, 107 of 122 drivers involved in lethal and serious cases said they were looking at pictures on social media, using video game apps or browsing content online.

The other 15 drivers said they were speaking with someone on the phone.

Drivers distracted by their smartphones and other devices are said to be 3.8 times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than those who pay attention to the road.

Criminal offenders currently face a maximum prison term of six months or a fine of up to 100,000 yen ($660). The revised law covers all individuals who cause distracted-diving accidents and other forms of “road traffic hazards.”

The administrative punishment fine was raised to 18,000 yen for drivers of ordinary automobiles.

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