Pro rally drivers are offering lectures on safe driving to local senior drivers. We went on-site to explore the ideals behind this project.
The Best Part of the Lesson is Having Fun
After the attendees finished driving the course, everyone was smiling like they'd never been nervous at all. When asked for opinions, they offered comments like:
“I realized once again how important it is to check behind me.”
“The pro drivers were such kind teachers. I feel more conscious of safety and want to enjoy driving now.”
“If they do it again, I want to sign up for it and let people around me know.”
Arai welcomed the attendees at the finish line and later commented, “When I told attendees to please drive with more awareness of safety, they all went home with big smiles on their faces. I think that might be the best part of the Good Driver Lesson.”
Arai
When we are young, our dynamic vision is good and judgment is quick, but they both degrade over time. So, I think it's good for everyone to be more aware of consciously looking at something and checking it. *
*According to the 2022 White Paper on Traffic Safety in Japan, the number of fatal accidents ranked by legal infraction (by first party), about half–or 1,334 accidents–are the result of violations of the obligation to safe driving, including inappropriate operation, careless driving, and insufficient safety checks in order of frequency.
After the lesson was over, we asked Katsuta what he could share as a pro.
Katsuta
In our world, we all drive at top speed, so we have to be very careful and watch carefully. That experience gives us an idea of what we can and can't see.
But if we can't concentrate on driving or lose our focus, that means we won't be able to see what's around us. We understand just how dangerous that is, and I think that's why we can teach.
Katsuta and the others taught skills that can be used on normal streets, such as thorough safety checks, paying attention to surroundings, and predicting what may happen next.
From the Starting Point of Motorsports toward a Safer Car Society
Since its beginning as a way to repay the community in Rankoshi, the Good Driver Lesson marked its 26th lesson at Toyota City. The total number of participants has surpassed 1,000.
In Toyota City, TMF is also holding traffic safety exhibits in conjunction with Rally Japan until December 24th. These should all help raise traffic safety awareness among residents.
Toyota Mayor Toshihiko Ota expressed his hopes that participants would further spread that awareness.
“It’s great for Toyota City, and if the rally world encouraged traffic safety, it would be the best project imaginable. Those who participated today are already the ones who think about traffic safety. It's important for those people to use the safe driving skills they have learned here when driving in the city, which will influence others around them. I hope that kind of driving comes to lead the car society.”
NPO Good Driver Lesson currently has to move around to different locations to hold the lessons, but in the future, it hopes to establish a fixed lesson framework and expand nationwide.
“There are lots of drivers connected to motorsports, not just rallies, throughout Japan. We want to work with people who share our ideals and do this work all over the country,” says Nutahara. As they work from the starting point of motorsports toward a safer car society, the circle grows ever wider.
