From: andy@nff.ncl.Omron.Co.Jp (Andy Krantz)
Subject: Re: Japan, a car thieves paradise...
Keywords: an observation, temptation, low crime rate
Reply-To: andy@nff.ncl.omron.co.jp
Organization: Omron Computer Systems R&D Labs 
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 05:44:09 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.013610.25581@westford.ccur.com>, hank@westford.ccur.com (Hank Cohen) writes:
> >
> >At night the emergency lights are usually on so it it possible to see and
> >avoid them in time. The black cars that are parked without lights, half on
> >the road and half off are, in my opinion the most dangerous stationary
> >obstacles on Japanese roads. I have already lost one mirror from sideswiping
> >one such vehicle.
> >
> What I want to know is what you did when the owner of the black
> mercedes arrived with his punch permed, sunglasses wearing, tatooed
> kobun tachi demanding the 100 man en that you now owe them for damage to
> the Mercedes' paint job?
> 
> 1/2 :^)

Flip up my license plate, kill the lights, gun the motor and head into the
side streets where hopefully I can maneuvre faster than he can.  ?? :-{

Hit and runs seems to be a viable alternative if the driver doing the hitting
can get away with it.

Just in the brief span of the last two months:
1) One friend got rammed by a car from behind as he was on his scooter. After
   making sure that the friend was still alive the driver was kind enough to
   call the police before driving off. He wasn't caught and the friend is now
   wearing a cast.
2) Another friend was riding his bicycle down a narrow street. A car tried to
   overtake him just as the oncoming traffic arrived. Needing room to get
   around the oncoming car, the driver literally squeezed my friend into the
   ditch. The driver didn't even stop though he must have heard and felt the
   bump of my friend hitting the car. My friend is presently visiting the
   hospital to deal with all the skin he lost.
3) The lone car stopped at a light opened the passenger door just as I was
   pulling up beside it. I rammed, with the scooter, the edge of the door.
   Good thing I was going real slow. Still managed to knock me down. Three
   teenagers were in the car. The passengers got out tried to help get up
   (anybody who knows would laugh at that sight), asked if I was all right. 
   Then he got back in the car and they were off before I knew what had hit
   me.

In no way am I saying that the Japanese are bad drivers. I am not comparing
hit-and-run statistics here with those in another country. 

The three incidents listed above are probably statistical flukes (or in the 
norm, I have no idea).

But I must admit I find it amusing that the drivers in two out of three cases
stopped to see if the victim was still alive before clearing out. At least
they didn't back up and try to run you over again to make sure that you are dead
and hence can't sue.

Life is exciting around here! :->

-- 
 Andy Krantz   andy@nff.ncl.omron.co.jp   \ Everyone stares at me 'cause I is
 Phone: +81-75-951-5111 x3691 FAX: 956-7403\ gaijin. I understand nobody and 
 OMRON Corp., Computer Systems R&D Labs    / nobody understand me  How could
 Shimokaiinji, Nagaokakyo Kyoto, 617 Japan/   I possibly speak for company?