TOKYO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) — The Japanese government has decided to increase the expressway speed limit for medium and heavy trucks to 90 km/h from 80 km/h at present, as part of efforts to address the pressing truck driver shortage.
The policy change for trucks with a gross weight of eight tons or more would take effect on April 1, according to a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Local analysts pointed out that such relaxation would improve transport efficiency without hindering traffic safety, which would also help to ease public concerns as the country, starting in April, would cap truck drivers’ annual overtime hours at 960.
A total of 1,927 accidents involving large trucks and other people took place on expressways between 2018 and 2022, less than half the 2003-2007 figure of 4,037, according to a survey conducted by an advisory panel set up by the National Police Agency last December.
