There have been 52 motor vehicle accident related deaths in Mie Prefecture this year as of July 6^th, 3 more than occurred during the same period last year.

The data on motor vehicle accident related deaths that occurred before the end of June showed the following characteristics:

• Approximately half of the fatalities were elderly
• Fatal motor vehicle accidents involving drunk driving show no signs of decline
• More than half of the fatalities involved people who had not fastened their seatbelts.

 

Vacation season means more people on the road due to the summer holidays and people taking advantage of extra leisure time. A large number of motor vehicle accidents are expected to occur due to heat-related fatigue people feeling less inhibited during the summer holidays.

Therefore, we would like everyone to keep the following in mind.

• Please drive particularly carefully out of consideration for children and the elderly.
• The driver of a motor vehicle and passengers in all seats should wear seatbelts, and children under the age of 6 should use child seats.
• Bicyclists are treated similarly to motor vehicles under the law. Bicyclists must obey all traffic signals and stop signs. Additional riders, holding an umbrella while riding, and using a mobile phone while riding are all strictly prohibited.
• Do not operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. This rule applies to bicycles, as well. Do not pressure someone who will need to drive later to drink, and do not lend your vehicle to someone who has been drinking.

 

Please take this opportunity to speak to your family and coworkers about traffic safety in order to prevent accidents and keep one another safe on the roads.