Use rate of riding tractors equipped with roll-over protective structures (
ROPS
) was calculated. Trends in this rate were then used to consider measures for bringing
ROPS
into greater use. The main results were as follows:
1) In 2000, the average time that
ROPS
had been in use in a tractor was 18 years, and this average was increasing.
2) It appears that in 2000, about 30% of riding tractors were equipped with
ROPS
.
3) Compared to the foreign countries, Japan began adopting
ROPS
later, and it is taking longer to come into widespread use.
4) Considering that the ratio of new to old tractors of about 6:4, it appears that requiring
ROPS
in not only new vehicles, but old ones as well, would bring it into wider use.
5) Cabs are much more effective in preventing fatal accidents than the 2- or 4-pole safety frame. Thus it appears that fatal accidents can be reduced substantially if cabs become mandatory equipment.
6) The suggested retail price of a tractor with cab is 900, 000 yen higher than a tractor without a cab, so it would be difficult to mandate its use without some sort of financial incentive.
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