GIFTS 2018

Examining Traffic Safety froma Cross-Cultural Perspective
Mitsuru Sano (Professor, Nihon University)

Spatial movement via various modesof transportationin the realms of human economic activity andeveryday behavior“Lifestyle-defining factor” similar tothe basic necessities of food,shelter, and clothingAssumptions• Recognition of traffic is not necessarily common on a globalscale.
• With regard to traffic safety, in particular, there exist level
differences depending on the stage of development oftraffic.
• Furthermore, there are differences depending on theethnicity, historicality, political climate, morality, naturalenvironment, etc. of each country.
• In particular, traffic morality is closely related to the level ofmaturity of traffic culture, and there is a similar relationshipbetween the diffusion and the effects of traffic safetyeducation.

“Traffic Safety” from a Cultural Perspective• Culture: A spatiotemporal product of human activity, existing in bothtangible and intangible forms (traditions/customs and products suchas constructions and structures).
• Traffic: A tangible/intangible product that enhances the convenienceof human activities.
• Safety: A tangible/intangible product for making human activities
comfortable.
• Recognizing the concept of “traffic” and “safety” as culture; grasping
this concept from such perspectives as historical circumstances,
natural/social environments, and ideas and viewpoints of things, bytemporal and regional settings.
• Cultural grasp of traffic safety; suggestions for the future.

Results of the 2010 Cross-Sectional Survey
Regions with advanced traffic management systems: Japan, Germany, and Canada
Progress in development of road networks and urban areas.
The basic automobile traffic environment has been completed.
Regions where traffic management systems are under development: Thailand
Delays in the development of traffic infrastructure centering on urban
areas
Many people cross roads using pedestrian crosswalks; in the backdrop is
the fact that a safe walking environment has yet to be established.
However, in the case of Vietnam:
Thirty percent of the respondents replied: “I observe laws and rules, andcross roads using pedestrian crosswalks.” Could this be a reflection of thetough conditions in socialist countries where compliance with social rules
is required?

Goal• In order to establish a comfortable mobility society:

Focus on “Traffic Safety Culture”
and envision the desirable traffic safety culture
by recognizing traffic safety as a culture from acomparative analysis between Japan and othercountries in the world.

Awareness of Traffic Safety• Traffic safety education:
Has an aspect of an act with a purpose; also has
indications of being compulsory, coordinative, andcontrolled.
• People with little traffic safety knowledge oreducation; those who are socially vulnerable, etc.:
If they receive “education” without understanding
the need for it, (there are cases where) they feel it
as being compulsory, and thus becomes a
psychological/mental burden.

What should be done?
• Traffic safety: Carry out broader dissemination and awarenessraising activities in society• Perhaps it may be better to implement this in a form that is a little
more moderate and flexible than “education.”• Perhaps it may be possible to seek this in the keyword “culture.”
Culture:That which is rooted in the community, similar to traditions andcustoms
Products and accumulation of selfless, devotional acts
That which has been formed by the overall system of the local
community that aspires to pass down and preserve itPromotion of Optimal “Traffic Safety”• Ensure that traffic safety is that which can be carried out and realized
by recognizing in a selfless condition that it is a part of life.
• Form an automobile traffic environment in the city as a walking space.

Now:• It is necessary to recognize traffic safety in Japan, which is a region
with an advanced traffic management system, as a culture anddisseminate it widely.
• In particular, it is important to promote traffic environments in theAsian region, which has been making historical traffic development
similar to Japan, from a cultural perspective.