Stage 2 Course Content 16 — Planning Routes

• Reading information from a map
• How to plan a route
• Using guidance signs, etc.
• What to do after taking an incorrect route, etc.
• Cautions for motorcycle touring

1. Reading Information from a Map

1. Importance of Planning Routes

If you are not sure about the route to the destination, you will be anxious, which can be a cause of fatigue or carelessness. Also, if a driver tries to find the way while driving, driving is likely to be dangerous, due to the behaviors such as looking aside while driving, changing course suddenly, etc. Such driving behaviors cause disturbance to others. To avoid such situations, plan a route using a road map, etc. in advance so that you can drive without rushing.

2. Reading Information from a Map

When you make a driving plan, prepare an appropriate map that serves your purpose (such as national or local version), and use it effectively. From various descriptions and symbols displayed on a map, you can collect information as follows:

1. Name and type of the road that you use (name of the expressway, national highway, or local road)
2. The distance and required time to the destination
3. Presence of traffic signals and traffic controls (that a road is closed, is a one-way road, etc.)
4. Landmarks (Name of a facility, bridge, railroad, etc. that can help find the place)

Major map symbols:

Reference — Using a car navigation system or using the Internet

A car navigation system is a convenient tool. Once you set your destination on it, it navigates you to the destination with the on-screen or voice guidance. Besides, it automatically displays the required time and distance to the destination, and if the road is congested or you take an incorrect route, it re-plans the route. However, you should set the destination and check the route before departing. Do not operate the system or fix your eyes on the screen while traveling, since it is dangerous. Also, avoid watching a TV program on the screen while traveling.

Alternatively, you can use the Internet as a navigation tool today. You can search the required time and distance to the destination conveniently only by entering the place of departure and the destination.

2. How to Plan a Route

When planning a route, it is important to take everything into consideration such as by checking for detours based on the information on roadworks, traffic controls, congestion, etc., determining the places to rest on the way, and determining whether or not to use expressways or toll roads. When planning a route, take the following into consideration.

• Plan your travel with ample time.
• Select wide and easy-to-find roads for your route.
• When you use an expressway, check the locations of the interchanges.
• Check the tolls of expressways and toll roads.

<Steps for planning a route>

1. Check the place of departure and the destination on a map.
2. Think of several routes, and then select one with wide and easy-to-find roads.
3. Check the facilities, etc. that serve as landmarks for the locations where you turn right or left.
4. Check the distance and required time (including the time required for traveling, resting, fueling, etc.) to the destination. (When calculating the required time, assume that you travel at 30 km/h on general roads, and at 80 km/h on national expressways, as a rough guide.)
5. When the destination is far away, include the time to rest in the calculation, assuming that you will take a rest at least once every 2 hours.

※ The required time may become longer depending on the traffic conditions, weather, etc. Make a driving plan with much time to spend.

※ The conditions ahead may be difficult to see when the evening sun is dazzling. You need to prepare sunglasses.

3. Using Guidance Signs, etc.

Guidance signs show information such as route numbers, street names, major locations, destinations, distance, etc. To travel along the planned route without making a wrong turn, pay attention to the guidance signs and avoid overlooking them. Also, check the road and traffic conditions on the car radio, road information boards, etc.

• Guidance signs for general roads (Blue)
• Guidance signs for expressways (Green)
• Highway radio
• Road information board

4. What to Do after Taking an Incorrect Route, etc.

1. When You Took an Incorrect Route or Got Lost

If you take an incorrect route or get lost while traveling, do not try to go back to a previous place hastily. If you do so in a hurry, you may overlook the signals or traffic signs, turn without giving a turn signal, etc., which is danger. In such a case, you should stop the vehicle in a safe place that does not disrupt traffic without rushing, and then take actions to handle the situation calmly, such as confirming the route on the map again, asking for directions at a police box or gas station, etc.

Reference — Correcting the route

When you correct the route, it is important to confirm the following before taking an action.

• That U-turn is not prohibited.

• That you are not driving into a no entry road.

• That turning right or left is allowed.

• That there are no pedestrians, other vehicles, or other danger in the vicinity.

• Detour: Take a detour by making a turn at an intersection, etc.

• U-turn: Make a U-turn at a safe place.

• Three-point turn: Make a three-point turn by reversing.

2. When You Cannot Proceed to the Desired Direction Due to Traffic Control, etc.

Even if you have planned the route in advance, there are cases where you cannot proceed as planned, due to that turning right or left is prohibited by a traffic sign or pavement marking, or roadwork blocks the road, or you fail to change course. In such a case, proceed to the direction you can go without rushing, stop the vehicle in a safe place, and then find out the way to return to the planned route.

Attention — Traffic signs requiring special attention when planning a route (Examples)

• Closed to all vehicles
• One way
• No vehicle crossing
• No U-turn
• No entry for vehicles
• Lane direction
• Proceed only in designated directions

5. Cautions for Motorcycle Touring

Motorcycle touring is fun. However, if a driver goes touring without preparing enough, devises a reckless plan, or acts selfishly, a traffic accident may result. Observe the following to enjoy your motorcycle touring.

1. Basics of Motorcycle Touring

When a large group of riders goes motorcycle touring together (mass touring), as a general rule, an experienced rider should play a central role in making every member of the group understand the rules to observe and in preparing a plan that is not hard even for novice drivers.

<Preparations>

1. Be physically ready such as by going to bed earlier the night before.
2. Conduct checks and maintenance reliably before departing.
3. Assuming that weather may change while traveling in mountains, prepare warm equipment, rain gear, etc.

<Cautions for motorcycle touring>

1. Prepare a plan with plenty of time to spend.
2. A leading driver (leader) should be a person who does not drive recklessly or hastily. Novice or inexperienced drivers should be in the middle of the group, and a skilled and experienced driver (sub-leader) should be at the end of the group to guide group members who fall behind due to red signals, etc.
3. The places to rest and the means of communication should be agreed in advance. ※ It is advisable to prepare a walkie-talkie (that you can use without getting your hand off the handlebar), etc.
4. As a general rule, members of a touring group should travel in a single line behind each other.
5. If a large group of motorcycles makes a long line, it may disturb other traffic. To avoid this, a large group should be divided into small groups (with 4 to 5 members).
6. Travel at speed slightly slower than the regulated speed limit. (Otherwise, the vehicles in the back of the line may fall behind and then may exceed the speed limit.)
7. To prevent cargo from collapsing, secure it firmly using a net, etc.
8. During hot summer, drink enough water to replenish sweat losses.

2. Motorcycle Touring Etiquette

A driver who drives ignoring traffic rules or disturbing others is a failure as a driver. To enjoy safe and fun motorcycle touring, be aware of your responsibility as a member of a motorized society and behave sensibly.

Let's Try — Course Content 16 — Check your understanding with right/wrong questions.

(See page 275 for answers.)

1. If a driving plan has been prepared in advance, a driver can't help but try to travel following the plan. Therefore, when driving a long distance, a driver should not make a driving plan but drive on an ad hoc basis to suit the situation.
2. A motorcycle touring in which a large group of riders travels together should be comfortable and fun. Therefore, an experienced rider should play a central role in preparing a driving plan with plenty of time to spend, which is not hard even for novice or inexperienced drivers.

(正: right, 誤: wrong)