High traffic volume are expected on Mie’s expressways during this Obon holidays 平成24年8月8日 【夏季行楽期 及び 旧盆期における交通渋滞予測 】＜三重県からのお知らせ＞ Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp 2012/08/08 Wednesday News This weekend marks the beginning of the Obon holidays for many individuals. High traffic volume and heavy congestion are expected on Mie’s expressways during this period, as many people travel for leisure or return to their hometowns. Below are some estimates for congestion on Mie expressways between August 10 and August 19. Higashi Meihan Expressway Nagoya-bound direction: Beginning August 10: More than 20 kilometers of congestion expected, beginning at the Yokkaichi Inter onramp. August 15 and August 16: Heavy Congestion of up to 30 kilometers in the same area. Osaka- and Ise-bound directions Beginning August 10: More than 10 kilometers of congestion expected, beginning at the Suzuka Inter onramp and the Nishiyama Bus Station. August 11-August 13: Congestion of up to 20 kilometers expected in the same area. Other Highways Ise Coast (Ise Wangan) Expressway Yokkaichi-bound direction: August 11: approximately 15 kilometers of congestion expected beginning at Yokkaichi junction. August 12: 10 kilometers of congestion expected in the same area August 13: 5 kilometers of congestion expected in the same area In order to reduce congestion and prevent traffic accidents, the Mie Police Department will be providing traffic and detour information via expressway signs and radio broadcasts. Drivers can also get current traffic information through their car navigation systems or by calling the Tsu branch of the: Japan Road Traffic Information Center at 050-3369-6624 (in japanese). Drivers should confirm traffic information and plan to depart earlier than normal during this season when using expressways. Each year around this time, there are serious accidents involving drivers that fall asleep behind the wheel or exceed the speed limit as a result of poor planning. Also, this time of year is extremely hot, making it especially important for drivers to make use of rest areas, take breaks from driving, and limber up between long periods behind the wheel. Furthermore, rear-end collisions frequently occur during traffic jams. In order to prevent rear-end collisions, please remember to maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, avoid sudden stops, and brake slowly. Finally, it is extremely dangerous to remain on the road after a traffic accident. In the event of a traffic accident, please use hazard lights, triangular hazard signs and flares to warn other motorists before taking refuge in a safe place, such as behind a guard rail. Also, please use a nearby emergency phone (located on the side of the road) to report any accident. Please be considerate and safe on the roads to ensure a fun and relaxing summer holiday. Thank you for your cooperation. Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp « Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke 2012 Middle School Equivalency Exam for Individuals Exempt from Completing Compulsory Education » ↑↑ Next Information ↑↑ Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke 2012/08/08 Wednesday News 2012年の夏について 「熱中症の重傷度分類・症状・措置」 Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp What is Heat Stroke? “Heat stroke” is the term for symptoms that emerge when the balance of water and electrolytes in the body is disrupted and the human body loses its ability to regulate itself due to excessive heat. Heat stroke can occur both indoors and outdoors during hot and humid days. In extreme cases, heat stroke can result in death, and knowledge about how to prevent and treat heat stroke victims could save a life. Degrees of heat stroke, symptoms and measures to take Level Symptoms Measures 1st Degree (mild) Dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle soreness, muscle spasms, excessive sweating Seeking shelter in the shade, consuming water and electrolytes 2nd Degree (Moderate) Headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating If unable to administer water or electrolytes orally, seek assistance at a hospital 3rd Degree (Severe) Loss of consciousness, convulsions, loss of balance, unresponsiveness, elevated body temperature Call an ambulance /seek professional medical attention immediately Heat Stroke First Aid Relocate to a cooler area Seek shelter in an area with good ventilation. If possible, find an area with air conditioning. Remove clothing and lower body temperature. Loosen clothing and take measures to lower body temperature. Splash water on the victim and cool the body with handheld or electric fans. If ice bags are available, cool the blood that flows directly beneath the skin by placing the ice bags on the neck, in the armpit, or between the thighs. Administer water and electrolytes Give the victim cold water. In the event of excessive sweating, electrolytes lost through perspiration will need to be replaced. This can be done by giving the victim a sports drink or a saline solution made by dissolving 1-2 grams of salt into 1 liter of water. If the victim is conscious and responsive, water can be given orally. If the victim is unresponsive, or is nauseous or vomiting, water should not be administered orally. Seek medical attention If water cannot be administered orally, getting the victim to a medical facility and seeking medical attention should be the highest priority. Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke Avoid overheating by: Walking in the shade Sprinkling water on the concrete to cool the ground in the mornings. Installing blinds for your windows. Using a parasol. Wearing a wide brimmed hat. Using an electric fan or air conditioning unit (a moderate temperature below 28 degrees C is best) Dress smart Purchase clothing made of sweat absorbing and quick drying material, “cool” suits, etc. Avoid black clothing, as it absorbs heat more readily in the sun. Keep collars loose to allow for air flow. Stay hydrated On hot days, individuals continuously sweat in small amounts throughout the day, possibly resulting in dehydration that goes unnoticed. Therefore, you should consume water and electrolytes, regardless of how active you are during the day. Warning: Consuming alcohol causes individuals to urinate more frequently, and has a dehydrating effect on the body. Therefore, you should not try to rehydrate with beer or other alcoholic beverages. An alcoholic beverage causes the body to lose more water than is provided by the beverage itself. Beware of sudden rises in temperature Individuals who have spent the majority of their day indoors or individuals who have not been in a hot environment for a long time are especially susceptible to heat stroke. It is best to slowly acclimate to heat and humidity. Increase your resistance to heat Light sweat inducing exercise, such as walking, helps acclimate the body to heat, decreasing the risk of heat stroke. Remember that your degree of risk differs depending on your individual situation Individuals experiencing fever or diarrhea, obese individuals, young children, the elderly and individuals suffering from lack of sleep are especially prone to heat stroke. It is important for these individuals to decrease the amount of exercise and/or work they do in hot environments. （Source：Ministry of the Environment, Heat Stroke Prevention Manual） Share!FacebookEmailTwitterWhatsApp