An optical deflector includes a mirror having a reflective plane; a torsion bar extending outwardly from a side of said mirror; a support surrounding said mirror; a piezoelectric cantilever including a supporting body and a piezoelectric body formed on the supporting body, one end of said piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said torsion bar, the other end of the piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said support, said piezoelectric cantilever, upon application of a driving voltage to the piezoelectric body, exhibiting a bending deformation due to piezoelectricity so as to rotate said torsion bar, thereby rotarily driving said mirror through said torsion bar; and an impact attenuator connected to said support, the impact attenuator being disposed in a gap between said mirror and said support.