About 8 years ago, I think, rules were put in place that children under 5 had to be in a baby seat, and somewhere around then rules were made that all front-seat passengers had to wear seat belts at all times. Did this mean everyone suddenly wore seat belts and all children were buckled in? Sadly, no, it didn't, as the enforcement of the law is very slack (just so you don't worry, I did promptly get a child seat and booster chair and make sure we always wore seat belts in the front--a lot due to my Mom's urging, somewhat due to the law).
Just a few days ago I was driving to the local supermarket, sharing the road with another mother headed the same way. I looked over and was, not shocked, but dismayed to see her toddler sitting up on her lap with her, driving down this not so local road, and sighed in frustration at the stupidity of parents.
Last year there was a horrible accident involving a 1-year old: A father made a U-turn during which his side-door opened up, out flew his baby who wasn't strapped in to anything, and who was promptly run-over by an oncoming car. Sadly, this family has lost a baby, and the father has been charged with murder, the punishment if your child dies in a car-related accident which could have been avoided if they had been properly secured in the vehicle.
So, the point of this rant is that Japan has laws, but the laws are not that closely watched, nor enforced. There is a saying in Japan, "As long as you can get away with it..." and that's how life is lived over here. Which is strange because it is also a culture very bound by rules and tradition.
And now for the main part of this post: I read this article in the Japan times today, and wonder if this will have any impact on society at large:
"Back-seat passengers will have to buckle up just like those up front when a new seat-belt law takes effect on June 1, although penalties will only be handed out for violations on expressways.
"Drivers found to be carrying passengers not wearing seat belts will have a penalty point added to their record. Six points results in suspension of their license, while 15 points gets it revoked. "Not everyone is bound by the new rule. Those exempted include pregnant women and people with disabilities that make it difficult for them to fasten the belts. "Currently, the law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts, with the driver given a one-point penalty for violations either on expressways or on regular roads. Current law only urges drivers to try to have those in back buckle up." For the rest of the article please click here: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20080405f1.html
