Stage 1 Course Content 8 — Ensuring Safety for Pedestrians, etc.

• Ensuring safety for pedestrians (when passing by them, when they are crossing, etc.)
• Ensuring safety for specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles (when passing by them, when they are crossing, etc.)
• Ensuring safety for children, people with physical disabilities, and others
• Ensuring safety for novice drivers, senior drivers, drivers with a hearing impairment, etc.
• Prohibition against driving causing disturbance to others

1. Ensuring Safety for Pedestrians (When Passing by Them, When They Are Crossing, etc.)

1. Consideration for Pedestrians, etc.

Pedestrians and bicycles are the most vulnerable entities on the road. Drivers must anticipate their actions and always drive out of consideration for them so that they can proceed safely.

2. When Passing by a Pedestrian

When passing by a pedestrian, a driver must leave a safe distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian. The driver must proceed slowly if a safe distance cannot be left.

Reference: Safe distance from a pedestrian Refers to a distance where the pedestrian would be safe even if an unanticipated change occurs in the action of the pedestrian, such as stumbling or sudden crossing of the road. Since it is related to the traveling speed of the vehicle, there is no universally set number of meters. At least 1 m is thought to be necessary.

3. Prevention of Splashing Mud, etc.

A driver of a vehicle must proceed with caution in areas with mud or puddles, by proceeding slowly, etc. to avoid disturbing others by splashing mud or water on them.

Reference: "Proceeding slowly, etc." Refers to passing by in ways that do not disturb others by proceeding slowly, avoiding, coming to a stop if the situation requires, etc. The driver is liable if a driver splashes mud or water on a pedestrian.

4. When Passing by a Safety Zone

A vehicle must proceed slowly when passing by a safety zone with pedestrians.

※ When no pedestrians are present on the safety zone, there is no need to proceed slowly.

5. When Passing by a Stopped Streetcar

When a vehicle has caught up to a streetcar stopped at a streetcar stop, the vehicle must remain stopped behind the streetcar and wait until no more people are present getting on, getting off, or crossing the road.

However, a vehicle may proceed slowly in the following cases.

1. When a safety zone is present. ※ Proceed slowly, regardless of whether passengers getting on or off are present.
2. When no safety zone is present, no passengers getting on or off are present, and a distance of 1.5 m or more can be secured between the vehicle and the streetcar.

6. When Passing by a Stopped Vehicle

When passing by a stopped vehicle, a driver of a vehicle should be cautious.

A door may open suddenly, the vehicle may start to move suddenly, or people may dart out from behind the vehicle.

7. When Approaching a Pedestrian Crossing (Bicycle Crossing Zone)

When approaching a pedestrian crossing (bicycle crossing zone), a vehicle must proceed as follows.

1. When it is clear that no pedestrians or bicycles are crossing the road, a vehicle may continue to proceed.
2. When it is not clear that no pedestrians or bicycles are crossing the road, a vehicle must proceed at a reduced speed so as to be able to stop before the pedestrian crossing (bicycle crossing zone) (or before the stop line, if one is present).
3. When a pedestrian or bicycle is crossing or is about to cross the road, a vehicle must yield the road to the pedestrian by coming to a stop before the pedestrian crossing (bicycle crossing zone) (or before the stop line, if one is present).

Attention: Pay attention to pavement markings The pavement marking for a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone indicates a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone ahead. Watch for crossing pedestrians and bicycles.

8. When a Pedestrian Crossing (Bicycle Crossing Zone) Is Present, and a Vehicle Is Stopped before It

When a pedestrian crossing (bicycle crossing zone) is present, and a vehicle is stopped before it, a vehicle passing by and moving past the stopped vehicle must first come to a stop.

※ Excluding where traffic is controlled by traffic lights, etc.

9. Prohibition against Overtaking or Passing at or before a Pedestrian Crossing (Bicycle Crossing Zone)

Vehicles must not overtake or pass other vehicles (except specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances) within the 30 m preceding a pedestrian crossing (bicycle crossing zone). (Refer to p. 97)

※ Excludes passing where traffic is controlled by traffic lights, etc.

10. When Pedestrians Are Crossing at or near an Intersection with No Pedestrian Crossing

When a pedestrian is crossing at or near an intersection with no pedestrian crossing, a vehicle must not obstruct the passage of the pedestrian.

※ Be cautious. Pedestrians (bicycles) may cross at places that are not pedestrian crossings (bicycle crossing zones).

Reference: "Not obstruct the passage" Refers to yielding the road by reducing speed, proceeding slowly, or coming to a stop if the situation requires.

2. Ensuring Safety for Specified Light Motorized Bicycles and Bicycles (When Passing by Them, When They Are Crossing, etc.)

Specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles are types of vehicles, and, in principle, are considered to proceed on the roadways. Specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles are unstable and are characteristic in that the structure does not protect their riders' bodies. Therefore, drive with consideration for the safety of specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles proceeding on the roadway, with being cautious of the following.

1. When passing by a specified light motorized bicycle or a bicycle such as to overtake, a vehicle must anticipate its sway, etc. and leave a safe distance between itself and the specified light motorized bicycle or bicycle or proceed slowly.
2. When crossing a sidewalk, a side strip, or a bicycle path to enter or exit a roadside place, come to a stop immediately before it and check that no specified light motorized bicycles or bicycles are present.
3. When proceeding through an intersection, exercise sufficient caution not to collide with a specified light motorized bicycle or bicycle proceeding on the intersecting road or to prevent hitting a specified light motorized bicycle or bicycle proceeding on the left side when turning. Proceed while checking whether the rider of the specified light motorized bicycle or bicycle has noticed the automobile.
4. When approaching a bicycle crossing zone, as when approaching a pedestrian crossing, a driver must ensure that a bicycle can cross safely. (Refer to p. 80)

3. Ensuring Safety for Children, People with Physical Disabilities, and Others

1. When Children, People with Physical Disabilities, and Others Are Proceeding

In the following cases, a vehicle must come to a stop or proceed slowly so that these pedestrians can proceed safely.

1. When a child is walking alone. ※ This refers to children walking unaccompanied by a guardian, etc., and also applies to groups of children walking by themselves.
2. When a person is proceeding in a vehicle made for physically-challenged people. ※ Wheelchairs, etc. for the mobility of physically challenged people
3. When a person is walking with a white or yellow cane.
4. When a person is walking with a guide dog for the blind.
5. When a senior citizen with difficulty proceeding is proceeding, such as walking with a cane or using a mobility scooter (a vehicle for assisting senior citizens, etc. in walking).
6. When a person with difficulty proceeding for other reasons is proceeding. ※ People with physical disabilities, pregnant women, people on crutches, etc.

Reference: Characteristics of children

Preschool children (under 6 years of age) / School children (6 to under 13 years of age)

Be especially cautious with children. They may become absorbed in something that interests them and dart out into the road suddenly or attempt to cross the road recklessly because of their immature judgment.

Characteristics of senior citizens

Because of changes in their physical abilities due to aging, senior citizens tend to delay in noticing vehicles, have difficulty reacting to avoid danger, and walk with less stability because of decline in vision, hearing, and physical strength, though individuals vary. Be cautious. They also tend to rely too much on their experience or make arbitrary judgments, and many accidents have occurred due to their dart-out suddenly, ignoring traffic signals, or crossing immediately in front of or behind vehicles.

2. When Passing by a Stopped School or Kindergarten Bus

When passing by a school or kindergarten bus that is stopped to let school children, preschool children or others on or off, a driver of a vehicle must proceed slowly and check for safety.

Reference: School or kindergarten bus A school or kindergarten bus must turn on its hazard lights when it is stopped to let school children of elementary schools, etc. or preschoolers, etc. on or off.

3. Cautions near Schools, etc. and along School Routes

Drivers of vehicles must be especially careful near schools, kindergartens, nursery schools, amusement parks, etc., and where school route traffic signs are present because children may dart out suddenly.

4. Ensuring Safety for Novice Drivers, Senior Drivers, Drivers with a Hearing Impairment, etc.

1. Obligation to Display a Novice Driver Sign, etc.

When driving, a person classified as one of the following must display the appropriate sign, on the front and rear of the vehicle in the prescribed positions (where it can be easily seen, at a height of 0.4 m or more and 1.2 m or less above the ground).

Main cases for exemption from displaying the novice mark:

• When a semi-medium-sized vehicle license has been obtained after 2 years or more since obtaining a regular vehicle license.
• When the driver had held the same license for 1 year or more or another license that permits driving of the same vehicle type (within the preceding 6 months) before being issued the license.

2. Ensuring Safety for Vehicles Displaying a Novice Driver Sign, Student Driver Sign, etc.

Unless necessary to avoid danger, a driver of an automobile must not travel too close beside or cut in front of the following vehicles by force.

※ Overtaking and passing such vehicles is not prohibited.

1. Regular automobile with a novice mark
2. Semi-medium-sized automobile with a novice mark
3. Regular automobile with a senior mark
4. Semi-medium-sized automobile or regular automobile with a hearing-impaired driver mark ※ Hearing-impaired drivers may not hear the sound of the horn. Be considerate so that they can proceed safely.
5. Regular automobile with a physically-challenged driver mark
6. Automobile with a student driver sign

5. Prohibition against Driving Causing Disturbance to Others

1. Prohibition against Driving Poorly Maintained Vehicles

A vehicle with a risk of causing danger to traffic or a risk of disturbing others by emitting harmful gases or loud noise due to the lack of maintenance of the steering wheel, brakes, muffler, or other devices must not be driven.

Attention: If driving a poorly maintained vehicle A police officer will order emergency measures. If the necessary maintenance cannot be performed, a sticker will be affixed designating the vehicle as a broken-down vehicle and prohibiting it from being driven. This sticker may not be removed until approved by the chief of the local police station, the chief of the Kobe District Transport Bureau, or the chief of the Transport Branch Office.

2. Prohibition against Acting in Concert with Another Person in a Dangerous Manner

When a group of (2 or more) vehicles travels together, they must not zigzag between or surround other vehicles, hit others, or act in other ways that would endanger or disturb other vehicles.

3. Prohibition against Loud Noise, etc.

Drivers must not start suddenly, accelerate suddenly, or race the engine in a way that produces loud noises that will significantly disturb others.

4. Prohibition against Driving Vehicles Not Equipped with Mufflers or with Illegally Modified Mufflers

Automobiles and general motorized bicycles not equipped with mufflers or with illegally modified mufflers must not be driven.

Attention: Prohibition against illegal modification

• Illegally modifying automobiles and illegally attaching or removing devices are prohibited. (Applying colored film, making tires or wheels protrude out from a vehicle's body, cutting mufflers, making mufflers hollow, removing muffler core, etc.)
• A maintenance order sticker will be affixed to the front windshield, etc. of an illegally modified vehicle, and the illegal modifications must be rectified within 15 days.
• Penalties for illegally modifying a vehicle apply to businesses such as the repair shop that carried out the illegal modification and the automobile accessories store in addition to the user of the vehicle.

Prohibition against driving a vehicle without number plates Vehicles with their number plates removed or bent to make it less visible must not be driven.

Prohibition against aiding and abetting a driver A person must not aid or abet a driver to commit a violation. Should the driver comply and commit a violation, the person who encouraged the driver to commit that violation will be considered to have committed the same violation.

Let's Try — Course Content 8: Check your understanding with right/wrong questions. (See page 275 for answers.)

1. A vehicle passing beside a pedestrian or a bicycle must proceed slowly, even when a safe distance can be left.
2. If mud or water is splashed on a pedestrian due to lack of caution, the driver is liable, even if the driver had been proceeding slowly.
3. When no safety zone is present and passengers are getting on or off a stopped streetcar, a vehicle may proceed slowly if a distance of 1.5 m or more can be left.
4. When a vehicle is stopped before a pedestrian crossing or a bicycle crossing zone, a vehicle passing by and moving past the stopped vehicle must first come to a stop.
5. When approaching a pedestrian crossing or a bicycle crossing zone and it is clear that no pedestrians or bicycles are present, a vehicle may proceed without reducing speed or coming to a stop.
6. Overtaking or passing other vehicles is prohibited within the 30 m preceding a pedestrian crossing or a bicycle crossing zone.
7. When a pedestrian is crossing at or near an intersection with no pedestrian crossing, a vehicle must reduce speed, proceed slowly, or come to a stop so as not obstruct the passage of the pedestrian.
8. When passing beside a school or kindergarten bus that is stopped to let school or preschool children on or off, a driver must come to a stop behind the bus and check for safety.
9. Overtaking and passing are prohibited when a senior driver with a senior mark or a driver with a physical disability with a physically-challenged driver mark is driving an automobile.
10. The one who removed the muffler or modified the handlebars of a two-wheeled vehicle is also subject to penalty.

(正: right, 誤: wrong)