2,800 warned on 1st day of law on seatbelts, elderly driving signs

Monday 02nd June, 07:48 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 26 Total Comments Show All

blvtzpk at 11:26 AM JST - 2nd June

Thanks for everyone's replies. However, what's the point of having the elderly (75+) display these signs?

For example, in different states in Australia, probationary licences are technically based on the time since you've obtained your driver's licence, rather than purely based on age. Holding a probationary licence means that you're subject to stricter driving rules during this period (speed limits, blood alcohol %, towing trailers etc), hence the ID sign.

However, is this the case with an elderly drver in Japan? Do they have different rules that apply to them because of their age, and police need to be able to ID them more quickly?
Zen_Builder at 11:29 AM JST - 2nd June

I think it is more a caution mark same as the "New Driver" one.

Bassicaly saying inexperienced driver or driver might react slower than expected, etc.
timorborder at 11:37 AM JST - 2nd June

One of my gripes about Japan is that the cops here don't enforce the laws that are on the books. During the annual road safety campaigns you can find a cop on any street corner acting as a "visible presence." However, when it comes to enforcing the laws, nothing happens. There is a law against people using mobile phones while driving. However, it ain't enforced. There is a law that requires children to be strapped into child seats when traveling in a motor vehicle. However, it ain't enforced. Now there is a law requiring seat belts for back seat passengers (way behind the times). However, it will not be enforced.

Rather, the strategy seems to be that the government-friendly media (of whom NHK is the worst offender) blanket broadcasts about a particular law before it comes into force. Once a law comes into force, however, nothing happens. This is not just the case with road laws. Look at the laws related to child sexual abuse (both domestic and abroad), these laws are on the books but they are not rigiously enforced. This country (or its government) talks all the time about shortfalls in funding as a reason for being unable to provide certain services. At the same time, however, there is a literal gold mine with regard to people who are in breach of existing laws. If the cops were to get serious about fining deliquent drivers (for the host of laws they flagrantly ignore), just think of the funds that would flow into the national coffers. This figure would be even greater if other laws were also enforced. This, however, doesn't happen, rather the government decides to screw those people who are honest by imposing more and more taxes, etc. The whole thing is a scam.
nutsagain at 11:46 AM JST - 2nd June

timborder: I agree with your post entirely. Also, there is a world-wide tendency for police to avoid the very thing they're employed to fight: crime. This is particularly noticeable in Japan where the keystones look for stress free work on a daily basis. What's more stress free than haranguing a gaijin on a bicycle or booking a woman in a shopping car? It doesn't get any more stress free than that, yet the stats would say crime is clearly being curtailed. Bollox... In the meantime, dump trucks roar by blatantly breaking every rule of the road. Slackers...
GrouchyGaijin at 11:50 AM JST - 2nd June

Give this a week or so, and it will go the way of the other legal Dodo's here in Japan, like no cellphone use, no double/illegal parking, no driving in flip-flops/Crocs etc. etc. etc. After the "Campaign" and the "Let's all (fill in the blanks) she-ma-shyo!" hype dies down it will be back to the usual appalling habits again. Plus ca change....! Japan could pay off its national debt if it collected traffic fines yet unpaid, I'm sure.
wibble at 12:08 PM JST - 2nd June

"and allowing some bicycle riders to run on sidewalks, such as children under 13 and people aged 70 or older" Er today everyone rides on the sidewalk, so shouldn't the law be to ban 14-69 year olds to ride on the sidewalk (or to enforce whatever in already in place?
boonme at 12:25 PM JST - 2nd June

I wonder if this will prompt more taxis to offer seat belts in the back?

Often the belt buckles in J-taxis are inaccessible having been stashed under the white seat over-covers. Try as you may you simply can't get too the seat belt buckles.

And if you complain or ask to use the seat belt many of drivers take great offense as they believe they are "professionals," and that should be enough to keep you safe. I often feel those 80 year olds think they are pro rally car driver and can find myself white knuckled in the back seat of a Tokyo taxi.

Hopefully this new law will bring added safety and awareness to the roads around Japan. But I'm not holding my breath; or maybe I should, there could be poisonous gas coming from the next aparto.
DeepAir65 at 12:26 PM JST - 2nd June

I can only assume they can warn people and nothing harsher because who knew of the law change? Techncially I guess I did as I renewed my license last month but my Japanese is not strong enough to understand what they were telling me. But I have also not spoken to a single Japanese person who was aware of this law change.

Police also issued warnings in a total of 1,588 cases against offenders of other new rules

What are the other new rules? Where can we get them in Japanese (or preferably for me English?)

I know one of them is about cycling on the pavement and clarification of that. But yesterday I saw two coppers on their bikes on the pavement looking annoyed at a car parked on the pavement (pavement here is less than 1m wide) - did they stop and ticket him? Of course not - was it because they were aware that they were also breaking the law? Unlikely...

With road traffic safety Japan is only marginally in front of such greats as India and from what I hear China.
Spidey at 01:30 PM JST - 2nd June

Law enforcement in Japan is a joke. All aspects. Everyone who lives here knows it. (The Japanese included) The "law enforcers" are exibiting typical a Japanese behavior, performing a said protocol only when it needs to be performed. And I stress "PERFORMED." It's a fake as the bravado the wear on their sleeves.

S
Hughgarse at 01:31 PM JST - 2nd June

Will they start forcing confessions out of drivers for this as well?
Nessie at 04:42 PM JST - 2nd June

One of my gripes about Japan is that the cops here don't enforce the laws that are on the books.

Timor, totally agree. Especially the ones on noise and illegal parking.
Youdontknow at 09:33 PM JST - 2nd June

The headline should read:

Tokyo cops waste tax payers money warning people for a law that they can't do anything about until after summer!
outofmydepth at 07:10 AM JST - 3rd June

yes, "let`s _______________" fill in the blank and then forget about it. it seems to go on and on here. i am most annoyed by people who think i am crazy because i have made everyone in my car buckle up since i arrived in japan - almost 20 years ago.
Richard_the_First at 08:46 AM JST - 3rd June

They just need to show footage of torn limbs and blood. If you don't buckle up in the back and you have a nasty on an expressway, that is what may happen to you. They will be picking your teeth and hair out of the guardrail for weeks.
presto345 at 10:39 PM JST - 7th June

Yeah, it's all pretty stupid, isn't it. And more stupid than pretty for sure. Introducing new legislation and at the same time saying you can break the rules OK. You won't be punished for a year and after that we won't bother you anyway. My god. What a farce.