Photo/Illutration Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki speaks at a news conference on Jan. 28. (Kazumichi Kubota)

Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said on Jan. 28 that the government will seek new numerical standards to prosecute the crimes of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving at excessive speeds. 

At a news conference, Suzuki said that he will consult with the Legislative Council, an advisory body to the justice minister, on the crime of dangerous driving resulting in death and injury, which is applied to malicious traffic accidents.

The main agenda item will be to establish new numeral standards for alcohol levels in the driver's blood and vehicular speed, to clarify the requirements for applying the crime to driving under the influence of alcohol or driving at excessive speeds.

The council will be consulted at its general meeting on Feb. 10.

Making so-called “drifting driving” maneuvers subject to the same offense is also one of the issues to be discussed at the meeting.

Dangerous driving offenses punish particularly malicious driving as an “intentional offense” among accidents resulting in death or injury due to drunkenness, excessive speed, disregard for red lights, among other contributing factors. 

The maximum statutory penalty for dangerous driving resulting in death or injury is 20 years in prison, which is much more severe than the penalty for negligent driving, which is seven years behind bars.

However, family members of victims have voiced concerns that the requirements for driving under the influence of alcohol or driving too fast, such as “difficulty in driving normally under the influence of alcohol” and “high speed at which it is difficult to control one's vehicle,” are difficult to understand.

Some have also said that the applications of these requirements are too strict.

In a number of cases involving traffic accidents that occurred in various regions, after the perpetrator was charged with negligent driving, family members of the victims collected signatures and appealed to the court, and the cause of action was changed to a charge of dangerous driving.

In November 2024, an expert panel established by the Justice Ministry compiled a report recommending the establishment of new numerical standards for breath and blood alcohol levels and excess speed.

The panel suggested that the standards for speed could be “twice” or “1.5 times” the maximum speed limit.

On the other hand, there was also an opinion that there should be a requirement other than the numerical value, because even if the speed is below that point, highly dangerous driving is still possible.

The Legislative Council will consider establishing specific standards based on these discussions.

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