Job Discussion Forums

[Lindsay]

i just bought a scooter and am a bit nervous to try driving in japan, but i want to do it! being fm canada, i am used to driving on the right hand side of the road. other than that are there any other major differences or tips to driving in japan that i should be aware of?

thanks!

[bshabu]

yeah.

You can't turn on red.

[Gordon]

You also have to stop at railway crossings unless there is a traffic light there.

You also don't have to yield to pedestrians, unless you want to of course.

[king kakipi]

....oh and if you want to look like a local, you have to dye your hair yellow or red, strap a stereo system to the back of it, and rev the sh it out of it every three seconds (preferably after midnight)

[Celeste]

Scooters here are not treated the same as cars are on the roads. They seem to stay in the outside lane, and can be passed by cars or can pass stopped cars in a way similar to bicycles back in Canada. Stay off the freeways!

[David W]

3 siimple rules for driving in Japan. Go fast, be first and make the others afraid.

[denise]

Don't expect or trust other drivers to be aware of their surroundings. You need to be hyper-aware.

d

[spidey]

What denise said...

Defensive...defensive...defensive!! Expect the unexpected.

S

[Sweetsee]

I assume you have motor-bike riding experience. Than you know to avoid the center of the traffic lane, where it's the slickest due to the oil and stuff dripping there. I also echo what Spidey said, don't assume anyone sees you, you are invisible, and not unlike a large egg zipping around in traffic.

Be careful and enjoy yourself,
s

[Lindsay]

thanks everyone for your help! let's hope i don't go and get myself killed! now, to only find an english street map....

[Gordon]

It isn't so bad, the left/right difference took me about a week or two to figure out. Mind you it was a scary couple of weeks for everyone.

[Reisender]