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Eight people were injured after a car plowed into four cyclists and was rear-ended by another vehicle inside a tunnel in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, on Sunday.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 11 a.m. inside Sakashita Tunnel along National Route 367 in Otsu City’s Katsuragawasakashita-cho. A car heading in the direction of Kyoto hit four cyclists who were riding in the opposite lane. Another vehicle rear-ended the car that hit the cyclists.
Police arrested the driver of the car that hit the cyclists, Akira Morita, 65, a company employee, on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury.
Three men and a woman in their 30s who were riding the bicycles were seriously injured. The 27-year-old woman driving the second car, and a male passenger in his 60s were slightly injured. The woman’s two-month-old baby girl suffered major injuries, police said.
Police said Morita has admitted to the charge and said his car veered over the center line.
© Japan Today
24 Comments
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BertieWooster
On the subject of driving in tunnels, why is it that so many drivers don't put on their lights in unlighted tunnels? A car without lights is almost invisible in a rear mirror. Is it only in Okinawa?
Stewart Gale
Fair enough, it must just be me and everyone I've ever mentioned this to then.
Strangerland
Why would you ever think I don’t?
As I said in my first post, I don’t. 20 years ago I did. Not these days though.
Stewart Gale
Alright, start looking through car windows. I'd be very surprised if you didn't see what I'm talking about.
Strangerland
I’m a cyclist. I’m regularly stoped beside random cars. Every stoplight.
Stewart Gale
@Strangerland
Start looking in random cars stopped in traffic, you'll soon see it.
The worst one I saw was a lady who had a baby strapped to her chest while driving. One minor bump that set off her airbag would have had catastrophic consequences.
extanker
The point is 65 is the literal definition of old. And once again, of course there are drivers under 65 that get in accidents. But this accident was caused by someone who meets the definition of 'elderly' so that is what needs to be discussed. Saying some 21 year old also got in an accident has nothing to do with the 8 people who just got plowed into by a senior citizen.
Strangerland
You do? I don’t see that myself.
Anonymous
@extanker
@zurcronium
You are as old as you function. There are drivers under 65 who shouldn’t be on the road, but their licenses are re-newed with a minimum of fuss. Their vehicular homicides don’t usually make the news.
zurcronium
Only old people 65 or older say this. 65 is when extra tests for driving needs to start. Old people cannot handle distracted driving even though they think the can. Or maybe this guy dozed off briefly.
Stewart Gale
@smithinjapan
Right. It’s one of the great hypocrisies of Japan that a country which has such a safety first, err on the side of caution attitude to most things seems to have such a laissez faire attitude towards child seat belts and baby seats.
It amazes me that most Japanese parents don’t seem to give this a single thought.
You see children unsecured in cars, jumping up and down in the front seats every day.
extanker
Uh, the World Health Organization and most developed nations disagree with you guys on that one...
https://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/
"Most developed world countries have accepted the chronological age of 65 years as a definition of 'elderly' or older person"
If I start to become a danger to others, like these 8 injured people, you're damn right I would. But I'm also not a selfish person only concerned with my own welfare.
mmwkdw
Cycling in Tunnels isn't a pleasant experience, and it's made even worse when you get idiots trying to overtake slow traffic thinking the opposite lane is clear - even though you are there, and wearing Hi-Viz cycling Jackets!
Perhaps a "Permanent Ban" for that Driver, and let him Cycle would be an apt "additional" punishment to the standard.
garypen
They were. Did you not read the article? The driver crossed over the center line into the incoming traffic.
Thomas Robert Mountcastle
Bicycles are vehicles.
Ride with traffic, not against it.
Do the hustle
Does this mean you will be handing your license when you are 60? Or before? 65 is not elderly. He may have been overworked. He may also have dozed off. But, he is not elderly.
Anonymous
This is what I dread every time I cycle into a tunnel. I really do wonder if I’ll emerge from the other end in one piece.
I cannot prove it but it certainly feels like everyone speeds in tunnels.
Anonymous
@Vince Black
65 isn’t elderly, Vince.
Mocheake
The guy admitted it and maybe he just made a mistake. It happens quite often. Wish the injured a very speedy recovery, especially the infant.
smithinjapan
"The woman’s two-month-old baby girl suffered major injuries, police said."
No baby seat. I bet you a million dollars.
Kuro: "From what we know, he could have been playing Pokemon..."
And you know this because... ?
kohakuebisu
The driver crossed the center line in a curved tunnel and hit the final four cyclists in a group of nine. All roadies from the look of the damaged bikes.
Wishing everyone a speedy recovery and hoping this man is taken off the roads for a very long time.
BertieWooster
The driver was probably watching TV. That's OK in Japan, using a cell phone isn't.
Kuro
From what we know, he could have been playing Pokemon...
Vince Black
Overworked elderly drivers strike again!