10-year-old boy fatally hit by car in Sapporo; driver arrested

Tragic. It does appear (at first reporting) it was an an area requiring considerable driver awareness & caution regarding pedestrians. Branded as “unemployed” never fairs well for any accused but he did immediately call emergency services. - Condolences offered to the boy’s grieving family, friends and classmates. -

-“…the intersection has no traffic lights and no crossing, either. Local residents saying bldgs on all 4 corners of the intersection make it hard to see vehicles approaching. Immediately after hitting the boy, Kaneko called 110.”-

Sad for both people and family. Seems like a genuine accident.

Did the kid just jumped into the front of the car by getting into the intersection without first looking if there were cars coming? Coz I see that everyday..

Sad but again it's because of how horribly designed Japanese roads are when it comes to pedestrians. Always forced to be in the street, competing with cars and mamachari on her phone not paying attention as she barrels down the side of the road.

Police said the intersection has no traffic lights, and there is no crossing, either. Local media quoted local residents as saying buildings on all four corners of the intersection make it hard to see vehicles approaching.

Now this is a tough one. The driver might have been even careful and still not able to avoid the crash. Still, he holds responsibility, as in most contries, Japan included, one must drive in such a manner "to avoid accidents" - the preventive driving doctrine. He will probably get a suspended sentence, or with the time already spent in arrest, as he's done the right thing and stopped and asked for help.

This is a typical case where an onboard recording camera can save someone.

Sad, but you have to wonder, would the boy have survived if he was wearing a helmet? Not that people would notice, but is law in Japan for children under 13 years old to wear a bicycle helmet.

boy did not wear helmet at least.

btw why we have to know that driver was unemployed?

how its is related to this topic since its truly off topic?

Would have to agree with Garthgoyle.

Add to the fact that it is very possible the boy wasn't wearing a helmet. Stronger enforcement of helmet laws might be in order.

RIP

S

Not that people would notice, but is law in Japan for children under 13 years old to wear a bicycle helmet.

Where I am, the only laws I see being enforced are cars stopping at a stop sign/railroad on weekday afternoons in the middle of the countryside or the random seat belt check. Kids laws seem to be nonexistent.

Did the kid just jumped into the front of the car by getting into the intersection without first looking if there were cars coming?

It amazes me how much pedestrians have almost zero knowledge of road safety.

It doesn't matter how careful the driver is, if the car hits you, you're probably dead.

They don't seem to understand that rules and laws are not metal barriers that stop vehicles on the road when someone is crossing.

My logic suggest that the City Planners should be arrested not the driver!! Reason being "Police said the intersection has no traffic lights, and there is no crossing, either. Local media quoted local residents as saying buildings on all four corners of the intersection make it hard to see vehicles approaching." The CITY did NOTHING!! This accident could have been averted had the necessary safety precautions been put in place. The PEOPLE who drive the road daily complained, the police also mentioned it was unsafe. I say SUE THE CITY!!!

I can't muster any excuse or sympathy for the driver. I live quite near such an intersection as the one described and I have small children. Every day I observe reckless driving and it's mostly older men doing it. They just don't care. Occasionally the police stand patrol but it does little good. They still zip up and down the road. If you aren't required to stop at an intersection, then you must drive slowly enough that you can stop if you need to.