Tokyo asks over 65s to stop driving
March 19, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
With the number of traffic incidents caused by drivers over 65 rising in Tokyo, the police force have pleaded with elderly drivers to hand in their drivers’ license.
Businesses have also thrown their support behind the police by offering special incentives for elderly drivers who hand in their license. The program is set to go live starting next month, with material already circulating:
“Have the courage to give up your licence, If you have lost confidence in your driving … if your family says they are worried about you driving … please think about handing in your licence.”
Offers include better interest rates, free home delivery from supermarkets and department stores, discount on meals and much more.
Unfortunately for Japan, a nation with great automotive heritage, the country has the biggest proportion of over-65s in the world, who, as many of our young fans here will attest, are not the world’s best drivers.
Last year over 65s were the cause of over 100,000 traffic accidents in Japan, the figure has doubled from a decade ago.
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*****PRIMO!*****
N.O.T wanting to be or sound racist [far from it, i am a wog after all :-0]
BUT…. Asian drivers under 65 are pretty average drivers too.Well thats about as far as i am going to “dress up that comment” for them.
BTW I know a guy who is a war hero [they are all heros] who still drives WITHOUT a lic. he gets stopped and tells them to “take me to court” they dont he still drives, and well too [better than asians for instance!]
Cheers
F-0
The increase of accidents of over 65 year olds has increased but i bet the amount of 65 year olds have increased aswell.
I agree with Mitch – “Last year over 65s were the cause of over 100,000 traffic accidents in Japan, the figure has doubled from a decade ago.”
Here’s the bit the reporter left out – “Last year, there were 25 million drivers over 65, compared with 5 million a decade ago. The accident total has doubled, but those over 65s have actually reduced the accident rate from 1% to 0.4%, reflecting a change in both driver attitude and vehicle primary and secondary safety.”
Frugal One, how can you say that’s not a racist comment when it plainly is?
I’m of Asian background but was born here, my dad was born here and my grandad fought in WWII for Australia as a bombadier. I’ve heard all the “asian driver” jokes before, but am quite frankly surprised at some of my caucasian workmates who I’ve witnessed trying to do a reverse park, only to hit the kerb, tap the car in front; generally just take about 10 back and forth manoeuvres to get the car in a very large spot. I’ve also seen very good “Anglo” drivers.
While it MAY be true that some drivers coming from a country where the road rules are incredibly lax (or even barely existent) and driving on our roads have lesser skills, making unfounded blanket statements (“better than asians for instance!” is a bit dense, to put it politely.
any follow up info on the uptake of the police’s plea to the over 65s?
Gee that will affect Toyota sales!!!!
Yeah, I understand where u are coming from Godspeed but u have nothing to worry about as Asian Australians are among our most successful citizens!
F-O North or South?
Thanks Realcars, I still don’t see enough of other Asian Aussies around. There’s clearly not enough of them around to defend themselves against the repercussions of a closed-minded mentality anyway.
what about australia many people crash who are under 25 and that doesnt mean they have to ban people driving under 25.do they?
Godspeed, you are too sensitive, harden the f**k up. What do you mean “there’s clearly not enough other Asian Aussies around” – there’s hundreds of thousands of them.
I live in Wheelers Hill, just up the road from Springvale, which is primarily occupied by new Australians of Asian origin. Driving through Springvale proves that these people are shyte drivers, it’s a real battle to get through it – which I have to do frequently.
The first time I saw an Asian bloke driving an HK Kingswood I cracked up – he was peering THROUGH the steering wheel and along the bonnet, since the HK was designed for the average Aussie frame. About as funny as seeing a 20 stone Aussie bloke driving a 1968 Corolla, which pleasure I have also had.
And before you go on about me being racist, be aware that I am a German immigrant having arrived in 1956. So I know all about vicious racism as a victim.
Discussing differences between people of different races and or cultures is not necessarily wrong, or evil. I’m sure you’ll agree that all New Zealanders sound funny and most Yanks sound plain awful.
I would rather say…those local teenager are more dangerous than anyone else….driving none road worthy 10-15years-old Holden or Ford large sedan without the skill to handle it.
guys, think about how many times you have seen serious accidents you saw on news were Asian driver? Most to all of them are those bloody locals teenagers.
Speaking of which, I drive around Springvale quite a lot, and not just Asian people drive carelessly, basically most people drive around there do so as well, its like driving in a different nation there at all, the point is, ask the government to get better road upgrade and ensure better driver test and skill training is enforce.
Reckless1 ……..last time I drove around school time, I though I witness a unholy event as well, but I later found out that it was a Aussie mum driving her beloved large SUV which made her almost invisible by the other road user, jesus….I don’t know, you said you came from Germany, but I don’t think you learn anything from the history of your home nation.
One advice for you mate, think twice X twice before you speak out your mind next time.
Macros, my home nation history has nothing to do with me, any more than Pol Pot has to do with you. Asia is not squeaky clean any more than Germany or Russia, in fact Russia was much worse. I actually resent your implication that I need to learn anything from Germany’s past, having directly suffered (through overt Aussie racism) as a result of it.
And I advise you to learn English properly (as I had to) before you give me advice. And get used to the freedom of choice we have in this country – If we want to buy a large car, we have the freedom to do so.
So, for you too, harden the f**k up, and enjoy what you have in Australia, which you weren’t able to find where you came from. If you don’t like it here, you have the freedom to go back to where you think it’s better.
And tomorrow night, as every Friday night, I will enjoy the company of my Thai friends at their restaurant for dinner. They are eager to know what it was like for migrants to assimilate 50 years ago. They all work 2 jobs and save hard and spend little – I have the utmost respect for them, their approach is bringing them success and self-respect.
REALCARS-
North or South?….Middle!! :-)
Cheers [ciao!]
F-0
Reckless – I was referring to those of us whose families have been here more than one generation – my family has been here since the early forties.
I’m only 25 but I’ve been driving for 8 years doing an average of about 30-35,000 km a year and have seen good and bad drivers of all types and backgrounds. What I’m pointing out as a very ignorant philsophy is those people who believe poor driving is tied intrinsically to a particular race or background. It’s Bulls**t and you know it.
As for hardening the f**k up, I don’t need to harden the f**k up mate I have been through plenty in my lifetime and you don’t even know me buddy.
Trieste F-0 fyi.
Don’t mention the war Godspeed whatever u do. Ha Ha Ha.