社会｜高速道路のETC専用化が進行中 / Society | The exclusive use of ETC on highways is progressing.

Summary

The specialization of the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on highways is accelerating across various regions.

This initiative aims to transition to toll booths that only allow vehicles equipped with ETC to pass through, and it is scheduled to be implemented in phases from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2030. This is expected to alleviate congestion and enhance the efficiency of toll payments. In particular, significant traffic jams are anticipated during the Golden Week of 2026, making the widespread adoption of ETC a crucial factor.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Log: I’ve heard that the exclusive use of ETC on highways is progressing lately. I hope this will reduce traffic jams.
Chako: Really? That sounds like something out of a drama!
Log: It’s a real-life situation, though. They’re predicting heavy traffic during Golden Week in 2026.
Navi: Just to add, the exclusive use of ETC is expected to contribute not only to the efficiency of traffic flow but also to the smoother collection of tolls.
Chako: I see! I hope more cars start using ETC!

Admin’s Note

With the advancement of ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) becoming exclusive on highways, we can expect smoother traffic flow and a reduction in congestion. Especially with predictions of heavy traffic during the 2026 Golden Week, the early adoption of ETC is crucial. Like Chako mentioned, I hope this initiative will have a positive impact on children as well. I look forward to seeing how this develops in the future.