3 Things I Learned About Driving in Rural Japan

1. Stop signs and red lights are only gentle suggestions.

You may have been taught to stop at red lights and at stop signs. If you grew up in California, you may even have learned to slowly roll through stop signs rather than actually coming to a stop. Well, forget everything you learned in driver's ed, because those rules don't apply here in Hekinan. 

When the light turns red, traffic doesn't actually stop. The cars that approach the intersection right after the light turns red still feel free to barrel on down the street, regardless of the green pedestrian crosswalk light. If the car is turning, it seems that the red light doesn't ever apply. 

Stops signs work in much the same way. They seem to be a mere decoration, and stop lines invisible to any local. Who cares about the old lady standing bewildered in the middle of the crosswalk as a car bears down on her--the sooner that car reaches its destination, the better! The ends (getting where you're going) totally justify the means (running down poor old ladies or English teachers on their bicycles...I'm talking about you, white Toyota). 


Of course, when police cars are in the immediate vicinity, the suggestions become a little firmer. But only for a moment. 



2.  There is no such thing as a speed limit.

The roads in Hekinan are pretty narrow. This in no way deters drivers from putting the pedal to the metal. 


The scenario: A car is traversing a narrow street in front of a middle school. Cars are parked on each side of the street. Another car appears at the other end, traveling towards the first car. What is the correct response?


Answer: To gun your engine, of course.


Hekinan drivers have no qualms about narrowly defying death with quick car maneuvers. Both cars will go flying by each other with a berth of only a few inches, with middle schoolers on bicycles trying to cross the street (remember: crosswalks and pedestrians are invisible). 


o.o

3. The fastest and/or biggest car has the right of way. 

Much like in the States, the car with the greatest mass or momentum is guaranteed the right of way. In Hekinan, this rule extends to bicycles and pedestrians as well. 

Which pretty much means I don't get to cross the street unless a kind driver takes pity on me. Sigh!