From: andy@nff.ncl.Omron.Co.Jp (Andy Krantz)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan
Subject: Re: How bad are Japanese drivers?
Date: 24 Nov 92 05:07:28 GMT
Reply-To: andy@nff.ncl.omron.co.jp
Organization: Omron Computer Systems R&D Labs

And now for the scooter perspective:

I drive a scooter to work. I take it into Kyoto for my Japanese lessons and
in the evenings. Or down to Osaka. There are days when I will easily put
80-90 kilometers onto the odometer. This driving takes me from downtown
traffic jams to (relatively) open roads between towns.

Personaly, I have driven in at least 13 countries on four continents and
have been a passenger in many more.

Having extablished some kind of credentials, here's is what I have to say
about the driving experience in Japan. In respose to what others have dais.

Kenichiro Tanaka writes:

> You really _have_ to be a good
>driver to drive in Japan because the streets are so crowded and small. 
>And many times, just getting your car into the garage is an acrobatic
>feat--some cars have folding side mirrors to allow room when parking. 
>That's how tight the garages are.

I agree. Although I managed to "sneak" by the driving test I certainly do not
envy the people who take it.

Yes, the Japanese driving schools are good. The adherence of their graduates
to the rules that have been taught is impressive. 

But there are things that I wish would be better taught. When a car is
turning onto or off of a road I can practically guaranty that the turn signals
will be used. But it would be nice if the use of the signals would preceed
the actual turning of the car. Many times the signals get turned on once the
car is already turning. I find that it is usually more advantageous to me to
observe the brake lights instead of the signal to determine wether the car
is turning or not.

I have observed cars sqeezing through spaces between concrete walls and a truck
with only centimeters to spare.  But I can understand that since I have done
it myself on the scooter.  But I get grey hairs.

Considering the volume of traffic on the roads I am impressed by the
relatively low number of accidents.  This is probably due to the fact that
the speeds involved are low (where can you drive faster than 60 km/h in this
country except for the expressways?) and for the propensity of the Japanese
to stop dead in any kind of "threatening" situation.

That last is actually a good idea because if you start swerving to avoid the
car in front of you you are bound to hit the ones beside you, plus the
scooter riding beside you and the odd pedestrian.

Yoichi Ii writes:

> On the other hand, I think more American drivers are better aquainted with 
> high-speed driving. Occasionally one hears about Japanese students going wild
> on American highways and failing to negotiate a turn (and the like).  
> I agree that more Japanese drivers are better at maneuvering in tight spots.
> Some Jp taxi drivers ability borders on "kami-waza".

I agree with this in general. (But all generalizations are dangerous.
Including this one.)  Cruising home at three in the morning the roads are as
empty as they are ever going to get. Occasionally I will be overtaken by cars
that seem hell bent to get to the love hotels. Their driving abilities at
higher speeds did not impress. In fact I later caught up with one after he
had wrapped himself around a Shinkansen pillar. He tried to take a 90 degree
turn at too high of a speed.

About taxi drivers: I repeat what I have said in previous posts. They are the
most dangerous mobile things around here. Just about all of my close calls
have involved them. They are the ones I end up screaming at as I desperately
hit the breaks and pray that there is enough space to stop. 

Charles M Richmond writes:
> 
> ... of them seem
> to be aware of the vehicles around them and they seem to hesitate in a way
> that greatly increases danger. An example would be their habit of slowing down
> prior to merging into the _faster_ lane. I have driven all over the world
> (Ok, Europe, US, Japan , but I was a passenger in the Middle East!) and the
> Japanese seem to be no better and no worse than other countries , but I have
> never felt as nervous about being a passenger (ie lack of confidence in the
> driver) as I have in Japan.

I have puzzled about that before too. I have seen cars literally stop at the
top of the on ramp trying to get onto the expressway. Why??

Another one that I agree with. I dislike sitting in the front seat in a car.
It scares me. Silly.

I would much rather be driving the scooter though I know that if I am ever
involved in an accident I will be the one who will bounce. But at least I am
the one in control and I know what I can sqeeze through.

In each country you develop skills that allow you to reach your goal in one
piece. Circumstances can make driving habits strange to foreigners but makes
perfect sense to the locals.

-- 
 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?