Summer road safety campaign

「夏の交通安全県民運動」を実施します

2023/06/21 Wednesday Announcements, Security

In the summer, the heat can hinder attention in traffic and accidents are likely to occur more frequently.  Each of us should be aware of road safety, obey traffic rules, get enough rest and drink plenty of water to prevent and avoid getting involved in traffic accidents.

  1. Duration

Period of 10 days between July 11 (Tuesday) and July 20, 2023 (Thursday).

  1. Campaign’s focus

(1) Prevention of traffic accidents involving children and the elderly

  • When driving, concentrate on driving, always anticipate danger in mind when driving with children, the elderly and the disabled.
  • Seniors should understand how changes in their physical functions affect driving and try to drive according to weather, physical condition and other circumstances.
  • Slow down near schools and on school routes and check carefully for pedestrians.
  • Beware of children on the road.
  • When teaching children road rules, be sure to properly teach them what is dangerous.

(2) Make sure pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.

  • Slow down if there are pedestrians around the crosswalk and always stop when pedestrians cross the road to allow them to reach safety.
  • Pedestrians should always cross the street at a crosswalk if there is a crosswalk nearby.

(3) Make sure seat belts and child seats are used correctly

  • Seat belts and child seats protect you and your loved ones.
  • Use seat belts in all seats and use a child seat or junior seat suitable for children under six years of age.

(4) Help end drunk driving

  • Drinking alcohol and driving is a serious offence. If you get caught drunk driving or cause a traffic accident, you could lose your driver’s license, your job, or even your family.
  • Even a hangover is considered as drunk driving.  Do not drive if you think you still have some alcohol in your system.
  • It is absolutely forbidden to drive recklessly, maliciously and dangerously, which can lead to serious accidents on the roads.

(5) Promotion of safe use of bicycles and other vehicles.

  • As of April 2023, everyone, regardless of age, will be required to make an effort to wear a cycling helmet.
  • It is believed that if a person who does not wear a helmet is involved in a traffic accident, the fatality rate is more than twice as high as that of someone who wears a helmet. To protect their own lives, cyclists must wear a helmet.
  • There have also been traffic accidents with violations by cyclists. Bicycles are light vehicles and are “car companions”.  Obey traffic rules.

Click here for an educational brochure (in Japanese only).

  1. Contact (in Japanese only)

Mie-ken Kankyo Seikatsu-bu Kurashi Koutsu Anzen-ka Koutsu Anzen-han

TEL: 059-224-2410

Road rules for electric kickboards will change as of July 1, 2023

2023/06/21 Wednesday Announcements, Security

2023年7月1日から電動キックボードのルールが変わります

As of July 1, 2023, traffic rules for electric kickboards will change.  Kickboards that meet all of the following criteria may be driven without a license, but persons under the age of 16 will not be able allowed  to drive.

Electric kickboards that can be ridden at speeds of up to 30 km/h are now considered common motorized bicycles and require a license, so care must be taken when using them.

  • Vehicle size must not exceed 190 cm in length and 60 cm in width.
  • An electric motor with a rated power of 0.60 kilowatts or less must be used as the main motor
  • Must not be able to reach a speed greater than 20 kilometers per hour
  • It must not be possible to change the maximum speed setting while the vehicle is in motion
  • Must be equipped with an automatic transmission mechanism (AT)
  • The vehicle must be equipped with a maximum speed indicator light
  • Must comply with the safety standards of the Road Cargo Transport Vehicle Law (Douro Unsou Sharyohou – 道路運送車両法)
  • Have a civil liability insurance contract for mutual assistance motor vehicles (Jidousha Songai Baisho Sekinin Hokei Kyozai – 自動車損害賠償責任保険(共済))
  • Must be equipped with a sign (number plate)

Observations

  • Those under the age of 16 is not allowe drive.
  • When driving, be sure to wear a helmet.
  • Drunk driving is prohibited.
  • Obey traffic lights and vehicle signs.
  • On roads where there is a distinction between crosswalks and carriageways, you should stay on the left side of the lane.
  •  Inquiries (in Japanese only)

Mie-ken Kankyo Seikatsu-bu Kurashi Koutsu Anzen-ka Koutsu Anzen-han (三重県 環境生活部 くらし・交通安全課 交通安全班)

TEL: 059-224-2410