Japan Earthquake, the start of service has been delayed in Tohoku and Kanto, the area covered by the East Nippon Expressway Company Limited, as well as Niigata.)

## o Comprehensive Improvement of a Bicycle Usage Environment

While clarifying the role and position of bicycles as an urban transport that corresponds with the urban structure, there is a need to recognize bicycles as a transport method along with pedestrians and cars, ensure safety of bicycles and pedestrians by improving a safe and convenient bicycle path as a network, and to improve the general bicycle usage environment. As a result, in January 2008, bicycle paths and bicycle lanes were improved in "bicycle traffic environment model areas" specified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and National Police Agency in 98 districts nationwide, and deliberation is advancing for every issue and its improvement strategy.

Also, in order to correspond to the new needs for bicycle use, the introduction of community cycling was promoted whereby it is possible to freely loan out and return bicycles in cycle ports established in multiple areas within cities.

## ☐ Development of road traffic environment to prepare for disaster

In order to accurately and promptly perform traffic restriction regulations in accordance with the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act (Act 223 A. 36), we have promoted the development of transportation information boards that provide information about the status of the disaster and traffic control

## Status of Activities of the Great East Japan Earthquake Regional Disaster Relief Teams

Police Regional Disaster Relief Teams (traffic units) were engaged in activities in and around the affected areas, such as information gathering in order to secure the status of roads for victims as emergency traffic routes, and ensuring traffic regulation in emergency lanes.

## 2 Dissemination and Reinforcement of Traffic Safety

## Promotion of Traffic Safety Education for the Elderly

In order to elevate traffic safety awareness based on the mutual edification of elderly communities, the establishment of traffic safety divisions in seniors' clubs and retirement homes as well as the training of elderly traffic safety instructors (silver leaders) was promoted. Subsequently, voluntary traffic safety activities such as the creation of "Close-call maps" were implemented, and instruction and support was given so as to fulfill the leading role of traffic safety activities in local areas and households.

## Promotion of the Safe Usage of Bicycles

In order to demonstrate that the bicycle is a vehicle, thus its user need to respect the rules as vehicles and practice traffic etiquette when passing through a road, public awareness-raising activities that apply "5 Rules for Bicycle Safety Usage" shown in the Central Traffic Safety Policy Council Decision were promoted along with traffic safety education such as participatory/revelatory/hands-on bicycle classrooms that target wide bicycle user groups regarding the correct way to ride a bicycle taking into account pedestrians and other bicycles. Such education applies automobile area training courses, audiovisual aids, simulators, and the 'scared straight method' (an experiential educational method that faces fear by seeing accident being reproduced by a stuntman, and so on).

## 3 Ensuring Safe Driving

## Augmentation for Better and More Effective Measures for Elderly Drivers

Seminars for the elderly required for elderly drivers who are aged 70 and above carry out: practical