Unfamiliarity with Japanese traffic rules leads to high accident rates among self-drive tourists in Japan

Foreign travelers, including those from Taiwan, enjoy renting cars for self-drive tours in Japan. However, due to a lack of understanding of Japanese traffic regulations, accident cases have been frequent recently. Over the five years leading up to 2018, there were 72 cases in Hokkaido and 189 in Okinawa, including several involving Taiwanese tourists.

The Japan Car Rental Association reported that in 2018, foreign tourists rented cars in Hokkaido a total of 95,155 times, an increase of 10,519 from 2017. By country, South Korea had the highest number at 22,335 rentals, followed by Hong Kong with 19,720, and Taiwan with 18,857.

According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Hokkaido alone, there were 72 traffic accidents involving foreign tourists renting cars between 2014 and 2018, most of which were caused by a lack of understanding of traffic rules. On November 7 of this year, at an intersection in Kamifurano Town, a Taiwanese male tourist driving a rented van collided with a large truck. The 35-year-old driver told police that he had obeyed the traffic lights but did not know that the “止” (stop) sign on the ground meant he was required to stop temporarily.

The accident resulted in seven people—both the male driver and his companions—sustaining injuries ranging from minor to serious. The driver’s 35-year-old wife suffered severe head trauma and was in critical condition.

In March of this year, on the Dōtō Expressway in Kamishikawa Village, another accident occurred when a Taiwanese tourist drove their vehicle into a roadside curb and then veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with a snowplow. This resulted in both the male driver and his female friend in the car sustaining injuries of varying severity. The driver stated that he thought the lane on the side was also for driving.

To help foreign tourists understand Japanese traffic rules, the Hokkaido Police, in collaboration with East Nippon Expressway Company, Hokkaido Branch, created transparent folders printed with English explanations of traffic signs such as “No Entry” and “Temporary Stop.” These are being distributed free of charge at car rental shops around New Chitose Airport.