Changes to Traffic Laws
Some changes have been been made to the Traffic Law which will come into effect on June 1, 2008. Here is an overview of the changes (from what I understand).
1. Changes to the rules regarding bicycles driving on the sidewalk
You may ride your bicycle on the sidewalk under the following conditions.
- If there is a sign that specifically permits riding bicycles on the sidewalk.
- If you are under 13 or over 70 years of age.
- When you have to because of road or traffic conditions.
Cyclists must ride slowly on the part of the sidewalk that is designated for bicycles. However, if there are no pedestrians on the part of the sidewalk that is designated for bicycles, or if there are no pedestrians who are trying to walk on that part of the sidewalk, then cyclists can go at a safe speed using proper and safe riding techniques. Pedestrians must also make an effort to avoid the part of the sidewalk that is designated for bicycles.
2. Children must wear helmets when riding bicycles or when being carried on a bicycle that is being driven by someone else.
3. All passengers must wear seatbelts, including those in the back seat. If the driver or any of the passengers are not wearing a seatbelt in a car that is driving on the toll highways, the driver will be punished.
4. Elderly drivers (above 75 years of age) must display an "elderly driver" mark on their cars. People between the ages of 70 to 75 years of age "should" display the mark. (The elderly driver symbol is in the shape of a tear drop. It is cut down the middle and the left half is orange and the right half is yellow.)
5. People who are hard of hearing are now able to get a driver's license if they use a special wide mirror. They must display a "hard of hearing mark" on their cars. Other drivers are forbidden from cutting off or aggressively passing cars with such marks. (The "hard of hearing" symbol is a green circle with a yellow butterfly inside.)
More Information
- Ibaraki Prefectural Police Website (Japanese)
- Topics on Traffic and Safety on the Police Website (Japanese)
- Amendments to Traffic Laws (Effective June 2008, Japanese)
- Amendments to Traffic Laws (Effective September 2007, English)
- Basic Traffic Safety Instructions (English)
Print This Post
Changes to Traffic Laws in Japan
The latest Tsukuba City Hall Newsletter notes that there have been some recent changes to traffic law within Japan. These laws affect drivers of cars and bicycles, and also passengers in cars, so please read through them carefully.
=============================================
Several traffic laws changed on June 20, 2007 and will come into force within a certain amount of time after that date. For example, it will soon be mandatory for people to wear seatbelts in the back seats of cars, and fines and imprisonment terms for drunk drivers and people who do not stop drunk drivers from driving will be stiffened.
1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
(These laws come into effect within three months of June 20.)
a. Rules Affecting the Driver
Drunk Driving
Old Law: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
New Law: Penalty of less than five years imprisonment or less than 1,000,000 yen fine
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Old Law: Penalty of less than one year imprisonment or less than 300,000 yen fine
New Law: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
Refusing Breathalyser Test
Old Law: Penalty of less than 300,000 yen fine
New Law: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
b. Rules Affecting Accomplices to the Driver
Providing a Vehicle to Someone who Could be Under the Influence of Alcohol
Old Law: None
New Law: In the case of a drunk driver: Penalty of less than five years imprisonment or less than 1,000,000 yen fine
In the case of a driver under the influence of alcohol: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
Providing Alcohol to Someone who is Likely to Drive
Old Law: None
New Law: In the case of a drunk driver: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
In the case of a driver under the influence of alcohol: Penalty of less than two years imprisonment or less than 300,000 yen fine
Asking or Requesting Someone who is Known to be Under the Influence of Alcohol to Drive and Accompanying Him/Her in the Car
Old Law: None
New Law: In the case of a drunk driver: Penalty of less than three years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
In the case of a driver under the influence of alcohol: Penalty of less than two years imprisonment or less than 300,000 yen fine
c. Rules About Hit and Run
Old Law: Penalty of less than five years imprisonment or less than 500,000 yen fine
New Law: Penalty of less than ten years imprisonment or less than 1,000,000 yen fine
2. Laws Regarding Elderly Drivers
(These laws come into effect within one or two years of June 20.)
Drivers over 75 must take a test within six months prior to the expiry date of their license. (Comes into effect within two years.)
Drivers over 75 must display an "elderly driver" sign on their cars. Other drivers must not interfere with vehicles displaying such marks. (Comes into effect within one year.)
3. Laws Regarding Cyclists
(These laws come into effect within one year of June 20.)
In addition to sidewalks that are designated as open to bicycles, other sidewalks can be used by cyclists who are too young to use the road or who are forced to use the sidewalk because of road conditions.
Children must be told to wear helmets when riding bicycles.
4. Laws to Reduce Injuries
(These laws come into effect within one year of June 20.)
Drivers must ensure that passengers in the back seat use seat belts.
Sources: 広報つくば平成１９年８月１５日号：p4、茨城県警察：道路交通法一部改正
Print This Post
Cheaper Gasoline on the Expressways?
Q: Is gasoline really cheaper on the expressways?
A: Sometimes.
There is a maximum gas price that is set once a month and the gas stations on the expressways (like Joban Expressway) do not increase their prices at all during a particular month. The maximum price is set by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) at the end of the previous month. You can see the price on this site. The reason for this is that the number of gas stations on the expressways is extremely limited, so drivers do not have a choice of which station to use when they need to fill up their tanks. If the gas stations could set their own prices, it would be possible for them to set unreasonable prices and the consumers wouldn't be able to do anything about it, since the next station might be 100km ahead. (Also, cars that run out of gas often cause accidents, so it is better not to encourage drivers to shop around for the best price.)
So, this means that if gas prices went up this month as compared to last month, you might be able to get cheaper gas on the expressway than on the regular roads. However, the opposite is also true: if gas prices went down this month, the gas on the expressway will be more expensive.
The prices for regular gas in November and December were 140 yen and 136 yen respectively.
(Note that this only applies to gas stations on the expressways. Regular gas stations do not have to follow this rule.)
Source: Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Magazine, November 2006
Print This Post
Cheaper Way to Get to Tokyo
I found this information in the "Plaza" magazine that gets delivered to homes in Tsukuba for free. I thought this might help people make plans for Golden Week.
==============
Kanto Tetsudo Bus and JR Bus Kanto (I am not sure if they intentionally made these names to confuse people) operate a joint bus route between Tsukuba and Tokyo. The tickets are usually 1150 yen, but from April 26, 2007 to March 31, 2008 you can buy 3 tickets to Tokyo for 1900 yen, which comes out to 633 yen per ticket. However, please note that these tickets can only be used for the trip to Tokyo and cannot be used on the way back from Tokyo to Tsukuba.
This tickets are on sale at the Tsukuba bus terminal, but they can also be purchased on board the bus. You cannot buy them at Tokyo Station.
The schedule is available here:
http://www.kantetsu.co.jp/bus/highway/center/center_jikoku.pdf
The first schedule is for the trip from Tsukuba to Tokyo (上り=nobori=going up).
Stops:
University of Tsukuba (筑波大学=tsukuba daigaku)
University of Tsukuba Hall (大学会館=daigaku kaikan)
University of Tsukuba Hospital (筑波大学病院=tsukuba daigaku byoin)
Tsukuba Center (つくばセンター)
Takezono 2-chome (竹園二丁目=takezono nichome)
Sengen 1-chome (千現一丁目=sengen itchome)
Namiki 1-chome (並木一丁目=namiki itchome)
Namiki 2-chome (並木二丁目=namiki nichome)
Namiki Ohashi (並木大橋=namiki ohashi)
Shimo Hirooka (下広岡)
(The above stops are all in Tsukuba)
Ueno Station (上野駅=ueno eki)
Tokyo Station (東京駅=tokyo eki)
On holidays, the bus does not stop at Ueno, so the last column in the first schedule shows what time you can expect to arrive at Tsukuba Station on holidays.
The second schedule is for the trip from Tokyo to Tsukuba (下り=kudari=going down). The bus leaves from Tokyo Station, then goes to Shimo Hirooka (which is in Tsukuba), Namiki Ohashi, Namiki 2-chome, Namiki 1-chome, Sengen 1-chome, Takezono 2-chome, Tsukuba Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital, University of Tsukuba Hall, and the final stop, University of Tsukuba. (This bus never stops at Ueno Station.)
"Nobori" and "kudari" are used to describe the direction that trains are travelling relative to Tokyo. Trains that are heading towards Tokyo are 上り and trains that are heading away from Tokyo are 下り. There are some exceptions, and there are other ways of labelling train lines (e.g. 北行=kita yuki=northbound, 南行=minami yuki=southbound), but often trains that travel on routes that end up outside of Tokyo are labelled like this.
Happy travels!
Print This Post
City to issue “English” license plates starting Nov 30
Tsukuba City will seize on its 20th anniversary and introduce “English” license plates for small-sized special motor vehicles* and mopeds starting November 30. The City hopes to boost its image as an “international city,” and hopes that the new license plates will also contribute to local revitalization and local tourism. The new license plate is not mandatory, so you can keep using the current one.
*The vehicles with engine displacement less than 125cc and special vehicles such as farm machinery.
Here’s what the new license plate will look like (screen shot of the city website):
You can apply at Tsukuba, Taiho, Sakura, Toyosato, Kukizaki and Yatabe Offices (or you can download this page here).
Download the list of things you need to bring to the city hall when applying for the new license plate here.
By the way, Narita City started issuing the E-license plates for mopeds last November, so some people criticize the Tsukuba City for “trying to be Narita and trying to just 'look' like an international city.” Some people, on the other hand, pointed out that “Tsukuba” on a license plate will remind them of “Tsu**ya,” a book store we all know, or “Tsubak*” a very popular shampoo name. LOL
Print This Post