Ensuring Safety for Pedestrians, etc.

1. Ensuring Safety for Pedestrians

1.1 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.

1.2 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.

1.3 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.

1.4 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.

1.5 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.

1.6 When Passing by a Stopped Vehicle

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

1.7 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).

1.8 When a Vehicle Is Stopped before a Pedestrian Crossing

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.

1.9 Prohibition against Overtaking at Pedestrian Crossings

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).

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

1.10 When Pedestrians Are Crossing at Intersections 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).

2. Ensuring Safety for Specified Light Motorized Bicycles and Bicycles

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

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 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 one when turning. Proceed while checking whether the rider 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.

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

3.1 When These Pedestrians 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.
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.
6. When a person with difficulty proceeding for other reasons is proceeding. ※ People with physical disabilities, pregnant women, people on crutches, etc.

3.2 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.

3.3 Cautions near Schools 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.

4.1 Obligation to Display Signs

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):

4.2 Ensuring Safety for Vehicles Displaying Signs

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:

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
5. Regular automobile with a physically-challenged driver mark
6. Automobile with a student driver sign

※ Overtaking and passing such vehicles is not prohibited.

※ Hearing-impaired drivers may not hear the sound of the horn. Be considerate so that they can proceed safely.

5. Prohibition against Driving Causing Disturbance to Others

5.1 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.

5.2 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.

5.3 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.

5.4 Prohibition against Driving Vehicles with Illegally Modified Mufflers

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