Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatWhat does 救護義務 (kyūgo gimu) mean? Duty to aid the injured
Updated: 2026-10
救護義務 (きゅうごぎむ, kyūgo gimu) is the duty, when a traffic accident occurs, for the driver and other crew of the vehicles involved to stop driving at once and help the injured (Road Traffic Act Art. 72(1), first part). The order is stop → aid the injured → prevent danger on the road → report to the police. 'Report to the police first, then help' is false on the test. The duty falls not only on the driver but also on crew members riding in the vehicle.
Legal meaning
Article 72(1), first part, of the Road Traffic Act (道路交通法) provides that when a traffic accident occurs, the driver and other crew (乗務員) of the vehicles involved must immediately stop driving, aid the injured, and take necessary measures such as preventing danger on the road.
The second part requires the driver to report to the police: date, time and place; number of dead and injured and the extent of injuries; damaged property and extent; the vehicle's load; and measures taken. If the driver is dead or injured and cannot report, another crew member does.
| Duty | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| Stop driving | Driver and other crew | Stop the vehicle immediately |
| Aid the injured | Driver and other crew | Call an ambulance, give first aid such as stopping bleeding |
| Prevent danger | Driver and other crew | Prevent follow-on accidents; move the vehicle to safety |
| Report to police | Driver (other crew if the driver cannot) | An officer at the scene, otherwise the nearest police station (including 交番 and 駐在所) |
How to give aid, per the rules of the road
The National Police Agency's Rules of the Road (教則) describe what to do.
- To prevent further accidents, stop in a safe place out of traffic (shoulder, open space, etc.) and turn off the engine
- Until a doctor or ambulance arrives, give what first aid you can, such as stopping bleeding with gauze or a clean handkerchief
- Do not move the injured unnecessarily, especially anyone with a head injury
- But if there is a risk of being hit by following traffic, move the injured to safety quickly
- Bystanders should also help with aid
Exceptions and penalties
Drivers of emergency vehicles, vehicles carrying sick or injured people, and buses or streetcars on duty may keep driving if their work requires it, having other crew give aid and report (Art. 72(4)).
A driver (other than of a light vehicle) who fails to give aid when someone is killed or injured faces up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine up to 500,000 yen; if the death or injury was caused by their own driving, up to 10 years or a fine up to 1,000,000 yen (Art. 117). This is hit-and-run (ひき逃げ), and it carries 35 license points (Enforcement Order, Appended Table 2).
How it appears on the test, and the traps
The main traps are reversing the order and limiting the duty to 'only the driver'.
- 'After an accident, first report to the police, then help the injured' → False (aid comes first)
- 'The duty to aid the injured applies not only to the driver but also to people riding along' → True
- 'Move a person with a head injury right away to take them to hospital' → False (do not move them unnecessarily; move them to safety only if there is a risk of further accidents)
- 'No need to report an accident that only damaged property' → False (damaged property is part of the report)
- 'If both parties settle it themselves, no report is needed' → False
Practice questions using this term
FAQ
Q. Is the duty to aid only the driver's?
A. No. It applies to the driver and other crew of the vehicles involved.
Q. Which comes first, aid or reporting?
A. Stop, aid the injured and prevent danger, then report to the police.
Q. What happens if I break this duty?
A. If your own driving caused the death or injury: up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine up to 1,000,000 yen, and 35 points.