NAVITIME Drive Supporter Prevents Wrong-Way Driving: Launches Alert Function at High-Risk Locations

Navitime Japan Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Keisuke Onishi, headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) will begin providing a new alert function in its car navigation app 'NAVITIME Drive Supporter' starting Wednesday, June 17, 2026, aimed at preventing wrong-way driving incidents at high-risk expressway locations.

At 65 locations nationwide identified by expressway operators as 'priority countermeasure points,' the app will display pop-up notifications labeled 'Wrong-Way Driving Alert' and 'Wrong Entry Alert' on the map, accompanied by audio alerts. Additionally, the app will provide detailed route guidance using illustrated diagrams of the actual road structures, offering more precise navigation than standard systems.

Wrong-way driving incidents on expressways occur approximately 220 times annually, with around 50 resulting in accidents (2024 data*), making the prevention of such incidents a critical priority for reducing traffic accidents. To support safe and secure mobility, Navitime has conducted in-depth analysis of wrong-way driving locations and newly developed guidance images for each site to prevent these incidents at their root causes.

*Source: 'Status of Wrong-Way Driving on Expressways,' distributed at the 8th Meeting of the Expert Committee on Expressway Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

■ Feature Details: Four Patterns of Wrong-Way Driving and Corresponding Alerts

① Wrong-way driving due to mistaken entry from an expressway exit

This occurs when drivers mistakenly enter an exit ramp instead of the entrance, often because the entrance and exit are adjacent.

The app will issue an audio alert: 'Up ahead is a location prone to wrong-way driving. Please pay close attention to the location of the expressway entrance,' along with a visual diagram of the specific site.

② Wrong-way driving due to unintended entry from general roads

This happens when drivers unintentionally enter an expressway from a general road intersection located near the entrance, then attempt to reverse and exit, resulting in wrong-way driving.

The app will alert: 'Up ahead is an expressway entrance. Please be cautious when turning left or right,' and display visual diagrams at particularly confusing locations.

③ Wrong-way driving due to turning errors at flat intersections in interchange connecting sections

At flat intersections (e.g., T-junctions) within interchange connections, drivers may choose a wrong path due to complex road layouts. To reduce confusion, the app will provide both audio alerts and visual diagrams indicating the correct direction.

④ Wrong-way driving from SA/PA (Service Area/Parking Area)

Drivers may lose their sense of direction when exiting an SA/PA and mistakenly enter the expressway in the wrong direction.

At high-risk SA/PA locations, the app will display a schematic map of the area and issue an audio alert: 'This is a location prone to wrong-way driving. Please pay attention to your direction of travel.'

■ Analysis of Wrong-Way Driving Locations

The analysis focused on 188 'priority countermeasure points' nationwide, as publicly designated by five expressway operators: East Nippon Expressway Company Limited, Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited, West Nippon Expressway Company Limited, Hanshin Expressway Company Limited, and Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited.

'Wrong route selection' accounts for half of all wrong-way driving incidents. By adding four new alert patterns to the three already addressed by existing navigation functions, the new 'wrong-way driving alert' feature now covers approximately 80% of incidents caused by route confusion.

A key feature is the provision of location-specific illustrations tailored to the unique characteristics and causes of wrong-way driving at each site.

● About 'NAVITIME Drive Supporter'

NAVITIME Drive Supporter is a car navigation app that provides route guidance using the latest maps and real-time traffic and congestion information, as well as historical and predictive congestion data. Users can check parking availability, access 'Ultra Congestion Avoidance Routes,' earn points via 'Navitime Mileage,' and enjoy a range of convenient features. The app supports both professional drivers with advanced tools and beginners with user-friendly functions, enhancing driving comfort and enjoyment.

▶ App Introduction Site

▶ Android OS

▶ iOS

* 'NAVITIME' and 'Drive Supporter' are trademarks or registered trademarks of Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.

* Other company and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.