Man stabbed to death in road rage incident

This is just horrible! RIP

Two cars.... two guys in each one.... 4 guys with attitude.... one dead.... too bad.

Gang war?

I would like to get more information, but this has all the signs of being more than just a simple case of road rage

Sounds like a typical day in California, but oh..this is Japan.

one of the men in the car that was hit, Ryuji Koketsu, 49, was then stabbed in the thigh

I would have thought it would be the other way round - after all, the car doing the "hitting" is usually the one in the wrong.

...and do many pople drive around with a knife handy?

Police say that one of the men in the car that was hit, Ryuji Koketsu, 49, was then stabbed in the thigh

So 2 guys in a car slam this car from behind. Rough them up and stab the guy in the thigh and he ends up dead, knife handy at the scene and they take off after? Seems like someone was looking for action. And if that's the case, probably not meant to be a full hit if one's gonna stab in the thigh though, they'd be aiming for higher things. Maybe a warning. I doubt it was road rage.

This is literally right around the corner from my house. Time to take the batman suit out of retirement.

Seriously though... I'm surprised that this doesn't happen more often given the driving habits in this country.

S

I'm surprised that this doesn't happen more often given the driving habits in this country.

I totally agree, but I wouldn't call it "driving" Spidey; driving involves skill and attentiveness...

How do you die when you get stabbed in the leg? People need to know basic first aid!

1:30 am . Was the BOOZE ANGLE involved ?

If you cut the femoral artery you will bleed to death rather quickly without immediate medical treatment.

Sound like a mafia hit, except for leaving the passenger alive.

Have seen quite a few road rage incidents in recent weeks although, none to this severity. I am often telling my friends not to antagonize the locals. Ya just never know which one is gonna snap.

What was he stabbed with? Normal people don't carry knives around in their cars. Definitely not your average road rage incident here.

I would say some alcohol was involved if it was 1:30 in the morning. I live in Aichi neighboring Gifu and every Friday and Saturday night I see people swerving all over the road or people stopping and letting their passengers out to vomit.

Could've been one of those yakuza insurance scams gone wrong.

If anyone has ever driven in Gifu, they would know why people get road rage. The tailgating, the driving slow in the "fast" lane, the refusing to move to the slow lane, the guys who refuse to let the faster people pass, the people who pick up speed when you try and pass. To be honest, I'm surprised there are more incidents like this happening.

RIP to the victim, hope they find the killer, hope the cops start addressing the issues of incompetent drivers in this country...

I drive the speed limit and the White Benz will be on me 2 inches away flashing high beams and swerving. I hope you're driving in the proper lane - ie the slow one - so they can pass you. The are some seriously dangerous drivers out there that go in and out of traffic but at the same time, there are some idiots who insist on driving in the fast lane. Both are at fault.

I guess gone are the days of the overly polite Japanese drivers.... Used to be impolite if you didn't dim your lights (to parking lights) at stop lights or stop to let people enter traffic from gas stations. Only ran into impatience (not to point of obnoxious though) on the Tomei & other expressways.

Reckless (hope that doesn't describe your driving style! ^^), I've experienced the same thing, but on a bicycle! I was on a narrow residential street with no shoulder, speed limit 20 kph, and had a car behind me honking his horn as if I could move out of his way. When I flipped him the bird he bumped (just barely) my back tire with his front bumper, and then when the road opened up and I had a shoulder to move onto, he drove his car right at me, pushing me right into a wall, while shouting abuse the whole time.

Road rage against a pedestrian or bicyclist should mean instant jail time. A single mistake on the driver's part, and that other person could die -- with no injury to the driver. A car itself is as deadly a weapon as a knife or gun -- always put safety first when operating one!

tmarieAPR. 03, 2012 - 07:34PM JST I hope you're driving in the proper lane - ie the slow one - so they can pass you. The are some seriously dangerous drivers out there that go in and out of traffic but at the same time, there are some idiots who insist on driving in the fast lane. Both are at fault.

Are there different speed limits for different lanes of a road? By "fast lane" are you referring to the "passing lane"? It's supposed to be for passing not driving. As soon as you overtake a vehicle you're suppose to return to your original lane. Too many drivers just keep going on as if it is some kind of express lane and speeds way in excess of the speed limit.

Indeed, it is supposed to be for passing and not driving - hence my comment. Too many times people drive in the passing lane. Slowly. Which is why some people get upset and starting weaving in and out of lines - which is very dangerous. That being said, I can 100% understand their frustration as it as I myself have been stuck behind slow drivers in the passing lane which I am overtaking others.

Perhaps you could educate the public here about it because it doesn't seem the driving schools do judging by the driving I see here.

tmarieAPR. 03, 2012 - 10:04PM JST Indeed, it is supposed to be for passing and not driving - hence my comment. Too many times people drive in the passing lane. Slowly. Which is why some people get upset and starting weaving in and out of lines - which is very dangerous. That being said, I can 100% understand their frustration as it as I myself have been stuck behind slow drivers in the passing lane which I am overtaking others. Perhaps you could educate the public here about it because it doesn't seem the driving schools do judging by the driving I see here.

I don't really understand why anybody driving the speed limit should have to overtake others unless it is too avoid an accident. You might be different, but usually when people complain about others driving too slow, it usually means that the other person is not going fast enough for them. This might sound like double speak but what I mean is that it always seems like the person doing the complaining (flashing their lights, honking their horn) is driving well over the speed limit and just expects everyone to get out of their way. So they do things like the white benz Reckless referred to. These people have no intention of returning to their lane and reducing their speed once they finishing passing.

Getting upset over slower drivers causes people to do rash and silly things. Weaving in and out of lanes is dangerous and unnecessary. Show some patience, reduce your speed and wait until its safe to pass. No need to ride up people and try to force them out of the way. Way too dangerous in my opinion.

Oh I get tailgated often in America in the right hand lane, that is the left lane in Japan. I have it happen a lot less often driving in Japan than America. Here they get right on your bumper even in the slow lane. My tactic is to slow down and even more slow down. People in America like to tailgate even even the passing lane is open. In Japan I have a baseball bat in my car and in America have a M1911 A1 in my purse. Oh angry person with knife, let me get something to pay you....

I blame McArthur. He should have made the Japanese make wider roads when rebuilding. Sorry but an expressway,freeway, highway should have more than 2 lanes per side. Under high traffic, a lane becomes just a lane. To me the speed limits in Japan are ridiculously low but considering that they are badly designed or not designed, it may be too high. Watch the traffic during Golden Week! And, watch out for those short tempered fools.

ka_chan, You have not driven in America. Oklahoma roads are sprouting another crop of orange barrels. No this is a problem of road rage and the perp is now a murderer. The perp needs to become a swinger as an object lesson to others.

I think the guy with the knife knew exactly where he was cutting or stabbing...hope the police at least consider this possibility.

I don't really understand why anybody driving the speed limit should have to overtake others unless it is too avoid an accident. Perhaps because a lot of people drive faster? The limits in Japan are probably among the slowest in the developed world. I agree with you about not getting angry and whatnot but it is dangerous for slower cars to be driving in the passing lane and I can understand why people get upset about it.

Yuri, I don't think this discussion is about the US. Why the mods allow you to bleat on about your petty hates of the US on a site about Japanese news is beyond me. 2channel...

tmarieAPR. 04, 2012 - 08:10AM JST Perhaps because a lot of people drive faster? The limits in Japan are probably among the slowest in the developed world. I agree with you about not getting angry and whatnot but it is dangerous for slower cars to be driving in the passing lane and I can understand why people get upset about it.

Because a lot of people drive faster? Don't follow you. Are you saying that because a lot of people choose to drive fast (over the legal speed limit), the rest of us (who are driving the legal speed limit) are just supposed to get out of their way?

Isn't that like saying because lots of smokers want to smoke (even in non-designated smoking areas) the rest of us (i.e. non-smokers) should just get out of their way?

The limits in Japan are probably among the slowest in the developed world. Ok, but how is that relevant. Aren't you supposed to obey Japanese traffic laws when you drive in Japan? What difference does what the speed limit is in Canada if you're driving a car ion the Higashi Kanto?

I agree with you about not getting angry and whatnot but it is dangerous for slower cars to be driving in the passing lane and I can understand why people get upset about it.

Seems that any car driving in the "passing" lane regardless of it's speed, is somewhat dangerous. And, although you may see a car driving the legal speed limit or below in those lanes, usually it's cars going way way way way above the speed limit like it is an autoban or something.

Stabbed in the thigh.. It must have cut a main tendon or artery. I bet the news of the man dying came as a shock to the offender.

Glad I'm not the only road rager in Japan.

**Don't follow you. Are you saying that because a lot of people choose to drive fast (over the legal speed limit), the rest of us (who are driving the legal speed limit) are just supposed to get out of their way?

Isn't that like saying because lots of smokers want to smoke (even in non-designated smoking areas) the rest of us (i.e. non-smokers) should just get out of their way?**

Not on the least. Last I heard all fast drivers aren't the reason for deaths and illnesses. Accidents happens but are very rare when you consider the number of drivers, hours driven...

Are you trying to tell me you don't understand why people speed? I'm pretty sure you follow but would rather an argument as to why people speed. Enjoy.

tmarieAPR. 04, 2012 - 06:41PM JST Not on the least. Last I heard all fast drivers aren't the reason for deaths and illnesses. Accidents happens but are very rare when you consider the number of drivers, hours driven... Are you trying to tell me you don't understand why people speed? I'm pretty sure you follow but would rather an argument as to why people speed. Enjoy.

I imagine people speed because they can. People do lots of things because they can. Sometimes these things are against the law, but they still do it anyway. What I don't follow is whether you think that because a lot of people choose to drive fast (over the legal speed limit), the rest of us (who are driving the legal speed limit) are just supposed to get out of their way.

The speed limit on Japanese highways is 100km/h (about 63mph). Why is there any need to drive 110, 120, 130, 140? If the car in front is driving the legal speed limit then there is no need for you to pass that car. If it is driving below the legal speed limit and you want to pass then accelerate just enough to pass safely, leave the passing lane and then reduce you speed back to the legal speed limit.

There is no need to drive in the passing lane period, fast or slow.

I believe that the maximum speed limit on Canadian highways is also 100kph and on US highways it is 55 mph in urban areas and 70 mph higher in some rural areas. That's not too different from Japan.

Why is there any need to drive 110, 120, 130, 140?

So that you can merge with traffic going those speeds without causing an accident for starters. And if it can get a guy tailgating you off your tail, I would say its well worth it. I have done that because people behind seemed a little too dangerous to mess with.

Also, if there is an emergency I will drive those speeds easily.

And the number one reason to drive at least 120 on the highway? Because even 120 is slow for a highway! Those speeds are NOT designed for safety. They are designed to give police an excuse to give you a larger ticket. And that is just about everywhere in Japan. I see an appropriate speed limit maybe 15 percent of the time here.

There is no need to drive in the passing lane period, fast or slow.

Yes, there is. For one, a traffic jam in the other lane. For two, road construction. For three, accidents in the other lane, or even on the shoulder. And last but not least, if people did not use the passing lane, the traffic jams would be so bad in Japan, that by the time you got home, you would just turn around and go straight back to work to be on time!

70 mph higher in some rural areas. That's not too different from Japan.

70 would be 112, and that's different. But in the U.S. there is also 75, which is 120. But fact is, in Japan, its usually 80 on the highway and its too slow.

I don't really understand why anybody driving the speed limit should have to overtake others unless it is too avoid an accident.

Tmarie is thinking straight on this. But let me put it another way. For someone to take it upon themselves to block a person behind them who wants to go faster is dangerous and foolish. You probably won't get stabbed in the thigh and bleed to death for it, but a whole lot of bad things are possible.

And this is coming from a guy who sometimes jumps out of his car to tell people off. Last time I did it, a guy knew there would be a green arrow and I was a little slow on the uptake. He went to the opposite lane to pass me at high speed, and as he came from behind, I almost clipped him making my left turn. Gave him an earful. But I don't mess with tailgaters very often, and if I do, I try to access the situation to make sure I can do it as safe as possible, for example, if there are no traffic lights I will have to stop at.

I totally understand the road rage thing here in Japan. They say traffic is bad here but it's not actually so. The traffic is often an illusion. When I look up the road I sometimes see 2 cars travelling at exactly the same speed making no effort whatsoever to separate from each other.

Doing so, they build a nice cue behind them that's becomes a bit too close for comfort even at the speed limit. The inconsiderate driver doesn't realize that he or she is putting herself at risk of being attacked by someone with a chip on their shoulder.

I'm not saying it's right to road rage people but the smart driver knows all it takes is one idiot to ruin the lives of many people.

Well said Mustard and Net.

Thank you tmarie. Never mind your -11 thumbs just for your "well said". It just shows that you hit some losers nerve is all.

So that you can merge with traffic going those speeds without causing an accident for starters. And if it can get a guy tailgating you off your tail, I would say its well worth it. I have done that because people behind seemed a little too dangerous to mess with.

Sure you may need to increase your speed when merging into traffic. But, once you compete the process, you're supposed to reduce your speed to the speed limit. You're not supposed continue flying down the highway at 140 kmh.

And the number one reason to drive at least 120 on the highway? Because even 120 is slow for a highway! Those speeds are NOT designed for safety. They are designed to give police an excuse to give you a larger ticket. And that is just about everywhere in Japan. I see an appropriate speed limit maybe 15 percent of the time here.

The legal speed limit on Japanese highways is 100kph. It is not usually only 80. It is only 80 for certain types of vehicles or in certain types of weather. Just because you feel it is too slow that doesn't mean it is. Those speed limits are designed for safety taking into account road conditions and all other kinds of factors. They are safe if people adhere to them. Problems tend to happen when people drive too fast or too slow. The argument about police needing an excuse to give tickets is silly. They are plenty of reasons a police officer could find to give somebody a ticket and it's not like you see cars being constantly stopped by shirobais up and down the highway getting written up for speeding.

Also, if there is an emergency I will drive those speeds easily.

Sure in an emergency you may need to drive faster, but, in all honestly, how many people do you see flying down the highway at speeds way over the speed limit are having a real emergency. I'm not talking about just being late getting somewhere, but something where actually a few seconds might really make a difference.

Yes, there is. For one, a traffic jam in the other lane. For two, road construction. For three, accidents in the other lane, or even on the shoulder. And last but not least, if people did not use the passing lane, the traffic jams would be so bad in Japan, that by the time you got home, you would just turn around and go straight back to work to be on time!

When I say there is no really no reason to drive in the passing lane, I was implying under normal driving conditions. Obviously if one lane is closed due to construction or there is an accident, then driving in the passing lane until you're past all of the trouble is OK. But, once you clear, you should merge back over into one of the "driving lanes". As for traffic jams, sometimes they are caused by accidents or construction, etc., but sometimes they can also caused by people driving way over the speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic because they are "in a hurry". If people just drove the speed limit and keep a safe distance between their car and the one in front of them then traffic would move steadily along at a regular pace and there would be probably fewer accidents, and thus fewer delays.

Tmarie is thinking straight on this. But let me put it another way. For someone to take it upon themselves to block a person behind them who wants to go faster is dangerous and foolish. You probably won't get stabbed in the thigh and bleed to death for it, but a whole lot of bad things are possible.

You seem to be implying that the lead vehicle is purposely driving at a certain speed just to try and block a car coming up from behind them. That's not what I said. They are just driving along minding their own business when another vehicle comes up behind them flashing their lights, honking their horn, or both in order to try and get them out of their way. In my view, the lead vehicle is doing nothing wrong and it is the tailgater who is completely at fault. Even though in many cases there is really no place for the lead car to go to safely get out of the way, the trailing vehicle continues to honk and flash and drive dangerously close instead of just reducing their speed and waiting until it's safe to pass.

I just had a case of road rage last week. Take it, it was my fault for cutting of a guy to the left of me when switching lanes. I don't know if he was flying up from behind, or that I just didn't see him. None the less, he pulled in front of me and stopped. He got out out of his car yelling, so I got out ready to knock some sense into this moron. (Hey, people make mistakes). After looking UP at me, he ran back into his car and sped off.

Geeezzz, if you're going to show some big balls, you should have the sack strong enough to carry them.

When I look up the road I sometimes see 2 cars travelling at exactly the same speed making no effort whatsoever to separate from each other. Doing so, they build a nice cue behind them that's becomes a bit too close for comfort even at the speed limit.

Why does this cue happen? If there are only two lanes then sure one of the vehicles is probably driving in the passing lane when they shouldn't be doing so. As I said, the passing lane is for passing not driving. If there are three or more lanes then two vehicles driving side by side shouldn't be a big deal as long as one of them is not driving in the passing lane. Other vehicles should use the passing lane to pass and then merge back into traffic.

The inconsiderate driver doesn't realize that he or she is putting herself at risk of being attacked by someone with a chip on their shoulder.

I would say that it's the drivers with chips on their shoulders wanting to fly down the highway as fast as they can are the ones being inconsiderate. They should just wait until it's safe to pass a a car and then do so. No justification for them "attacking" someone.

Let me try and use a different example. Suppose you out going for a walk just minding your own business. Somebody in a hurry comes running up behind you and starts yelling at you to get out of their way. Perhaps they even try to run by you and in the process, they bump you or push you to the side. Would you consider yourself to be inconsiderate?

When I say there is no really no reason to drive in the passing lane

Who is you? It was Maiko said that. You are rmistric. And the quote was: "There is no need to drive in the passing lane period, fast or slow." It took "period" to mean "period"! Surprised?

The argument about police needing an excuse to give tickets is silly.

What is silly is your trust that the authorities have only safety in mind. They may not line them up on the highway, but when you do get a speeding ticket on the highway, its enormous. But they do line them up on lower roads, and yes, they rake in a fortune for those limits that too low. I have been in line twice...in the same place. I told the cops, all these people CANNOT be wrong. And I called them theives for doing their little speed trap game.

If people just drove the speed limit

If the speed limit was just REASONABLE.

then traffic would move steadily along at a regular pace and there would be probably fewer accidents, and thus fewer delays.

NONSENSE! You cannot blame traffic jams on people speeding! Speeding can only allieviate traffic jams providing there are no accidents! And accidents are not the cause of most traffic jams!

And traffic won't move steadily for several reasons. Chief among them is poorly timed traffic lights. Next would be poorly placed stop signs. They never think in this country to make any road a river of constantly flowing traffic. Thus, you never see it.

They are just driving along minding their own business when another vehicle comes up behind them flashing their lights, honking their horn, or both in order to try and get them out of their way.

The road is not a place to mind your own business. If there is only one lane and you are driving the limit, for God's sake, pull over and let people pass when you get the chance. Of course no one should be excessive with flashing lights and honking horns, and no one should tailgate. But driving at these too low limits is irritating.

If on the highway you are travelling at the limit in the passing lane, you deserve everything but the tailgating. You should have seen people coming up behind you and you should have gotten right back in the slow lane.

I'm beginning to wonder if you even drive when you make comments like "Those speed limits are designed for safety taking into account road conditions and all other kinds of factors. They are safe if people adhere to them. " Japan is full of speeders. I rarely see people actually driving the speed limit. When they are, they are usually in the passing lane pissing off the people behind them.

If the speed limit was just REASONABLE.

It is reasonable. It is what is considered safe under idea driving conditions and least by the people who decide what those limits should be here in Japan.

What is silly is your trust that the authorities have only safety in mind. They may not line them up on the highway, but when you do get a speeding ticket on the highway, its enormous. But they do line them up on lower roads, and yes, they rake in a fortune for those limits that too low. I have been in line twice...in the same place. I told the cops, all these people CANNOT be wrong. And I called them theives for doing their little speed trap game.

We're not talking speed traps, we're talking speed limits on a highway. Driving on the expressway is not the same as driving through some small town in inaka USA. The signs on an expressway are clearly posted at many different locations for everyone to see. If you choose to ignore them and get pulled over then you have nobody to blame but yourself.

NONSENSE! You cannot blame traffic jams on people speeding! Speeding can only allieviate traffic jams providing there are no accidents! And accidents are not the cause of most traffic jams!

I didn't say that accidents are the cause of most traffic jams. I said " As for traffic jams, sometimes they are caused by accidents or construction, etc..." Regarding speeding, here's how I think speeding could cause a traffic. Usually when a car is speeding down the highway, it is not the only one on the road. Eventually it will come across another car which will either get out of the way or cause the speeding car to slow down. If driver of the speeding car has to use their brakes, their car's brake lights will go red, the other cars behind the speeding car will see this and will probably also begin to slow down, and so on and so on. If one car breaks too hard it could have a ripple effect and create a traffic jam. However, if everyone is traveling at the legal speed limit (reasonable or not) and maintaining a proper distance between their vehicle and the vehicle ahead of them, traffic should (under normal conditions) just flow along smoothly.

The road is not a place to mind your own business. If there is only one lane and you are driving the limit, for God's sake, pull over and let people pass when you get the chance. Of course no one should be excessive with flashing lights and honking horns, and no one should tailgate. But driving at these too low limits is irritating.

Again I am talking about highways, not single lane roads. Usually these highways are multiple lanes so if you need to pass somebody you should use the passing lane. However, expecting somebody to pull over the side just because they are in your way or not driving fast enough for you (i.e. driving the legal speed limit) shows that you're not a very good driver in my opinion. Just curious. Do you speed down residential streets if you feel the speed limit is not reasonable?

If on the highway you are travelling at the limit in the passing lane, you deserve everything but the tailgating. You should have seen people coming up behind you and you should have gotten right back in the slow lane.

Agree. I think people who drive in the passing, regardless of their speed, are wrong. The passing lane is for passing not driving.

tmarieAPR. 05, 2012 - 01:16PM JST I'm beginning to wonder if you even drive when you make comments like "Those speed limits are designed for safety taking into account road conditions and all other kinds of factors. They are safe if people adhere to them. " Japan is full of speeders.

Drive all the time. Drive to and from work each day. Sometimes even drive as part of my job. Also, drive the highways a lot. In fact, I may even drive more than you.

The whole world is full of speeders or are you just trying to claim that this is something that is only unique to Japan. And, are you saying that because some people can and do speed that it is OK?

I rarely see people actually driving the speed limit. When they are, they are usually in the passing lane pissing off the people behind them.

So what's the problem? The "fast" lane has then become the "slow" lane. Why not just use one of the driving lanes (slow lanes) to drive fast if all the slow cars primarily driving in passing lane?

You know that it not really the fast lane, right? It's called the 追い越し線. It's not called the 好きなように速ければ速いほど走れ線

So what's the problem? The "fast" lane has then become the "slow" lane. Why not just use one of the driving lanes (slow lanes) to drive fast if all the slow cars primarily driving in passing lane?

Because having some idiot driving the speed limit in the passing lane and holding up traffic behind him is one cause of road rage. Having one car driving in the passing lane slowing down traffic and having someone else in the regular lane driving the speed limit means it is dangerous to pass in the regular driving lane. And also causes... road rage. People shouldn't have to pass on the inside lane. They should be able to use the passing lane to do that. If you aren't passing, you don't belong in the passing lane. Thing is, here many drivers drive in the passing lane and then wonder why faster cars come up behind them, tail gate and flash their lights.

I don't think I have said anything about this being just a problem in Japan. Perhaps you could argue what is written, not what you wish was written. Making a habit out of this recently.

@rmistric Wow, you've got a lot of steam going into this topic. That's hot air btw.

Driver's here are stupid bro. Ever heard of "Arrigato Jiko"? It happens!!! I got some motorcycle buddies who can attest to this. Some nit wit driver who thinks "CULTURE" has something to do with driving stops on a dime to let someone make a turn that they shouldn't have attempted in the first place.

I love driving. I've driven from Akita all the way down to Osaka. Couple rentals here and there on Hokkaido and Kyushu. The worst ROAD RAGE drivers are the truckers. Especially when they are in the Kanagawa area.

I would imagine that the number of road rage cases will go down though. New Shin-Tomei and Shin Meisin Expressways will alleviate heavy traffic.

I always like to go to the core of the problem. In this case, road rage, was cause by poor infrastructure design aka J'Gov't. They cause this situation more than anybody else.

If you want to blame someone for road rage, blame the government.

I don't think I have said anything about this being just a problem in Japan. Perhaps you could argue what is written, not what you wish was written. Making a habit out of this recently.

My bad I misinterpreted "Japan is full of speeders. I rarely see people actually driving the speed limit. When they are, they are usually in the passing lane pissing off the people behind them." to mean you were talking about Japan.

Because having some idiot driving the speed limit in the passing lane and holding up traffic behind him is one cause of road rage. Having one car driving in the passing lane slowing down traffic and having someone else in the regular lane driving the speed limit means it is dangerous to pass in the regular driving lane. And also causes... road rage. People shouldn't have to pass on the inside lane. They should be able to use the passing lane to do that. If you aren't passing, you don't belong in the passing lane.

Again, I said that the passing lane is for "passing" and that the driving lane is for "driving". But once again, if most of the cars driving the speed limit are driving in the passing lane then why not pass them using the driving lane and then change lanes back into the passing line if you want.

But, I agree with you when you say if you are not passing you don't belong in the passing line. What should the passing driver do once they've finished passing the other car and can safely merge back into the driving lane? Personally, think they should merge back into the driving lane and reduce their speed to the speed limit. However, when I'm out on the Tomei or the Higashi Kanto or the Keiyo, I see lots of drivers who seem to think that the "passing lane" is their own personal F1 race track. Just my experience.

Thing is, here many drivers drive in the passing lane and then wonder why faster cars come up behind them, tail gate and flash their lights.

By "here" do you mean Japan. Just wanna make sure. Are you saying this kind of thing is unique to Japan? I think it's just as idiotic and dangerous to run up on some bodies bumper honking your horn and flashing your lights just because you wanna to get around them regardless of where your at.

Are you saying that the man who was stabbed and killed deserved what he got because he made the other man angry?

Driver's here are stupid bro. Ever heard of "Arrigato Jiko"? It happens!!!

Stupid drivers are everywhere, not just here. Defensive driving should not just practiced here but anytime and anywhere you behind the wheel.

I got some motorcycle buddies who can attest to this. Some nit wit driver who thinks "CULTURE" has something to do with driving stops on a dime to let someone make a turn that they shouldn't have attempted in the first place.

What if stopping on a dime was there only option to avoid running into that other car? Sorry if your friend had an accident but if they are driving behind someone then usually (and perhaps unfairly) they are expected to avoid rear ending that other vehicle by not driving so close. If they don't they will most likely be blamed (again perhaps unfairly) and written up for 前方不注意.

I hope your friends with the bikes are not lane splitters. Seems really risky to me.

The worst ROAD RAGE drivers are the truckers. Especially when they are in the Kanagawa area.

That I do agree with and not just in Kanagawa and even though my brother-in-law is a truck driver and would argue differently.

I would imagine that the number of road rage cases will go down though. New Shin-Tomei and Shin Meisin Expressways will alleviate heavy traffic.

Yes, but I have a feeling people will be speeding (or driving too slow) on them as well.

I always like to go to the core of the problem. In this case, road rage, was cause by poor infrastructure design aka J'Gov't. They cause this situation more than anybody else.

If you want to blame someone for road rage, blame the government.

Really? What about taking responsibility for your own actions? Or, is it OK to stab somebody because they were in your way and made you really angry?

No one has said this is an "only Japan" problem. You're looking to argue when there is nothing to argue about. You have stated you agree with me in that passing lanes should be used for passing. Done and done. You seem to enjoy looking for and provoking arguments - even when you agree with what is being written.

tmarieAPR. 05, 2012 - 04:37PM JST No one has said this is an "only Japan" problem. You're looking to argue when there is nothing to argue about. You have stated you agree with me in that passing lanes should be used for passing. Done and done. You seem to enjoy looking for and provoking arguments - even when you agree with what is being written.

OK.

So we appear to agree then. No more arguments. Just some questions.

What do you think a car using the passing lane should do once it has finished passing and can safely merge back into a driving lane?

Should they continue driving on in the "passing lane" perhaps at a speed that exceeds the speed limit?

Should they merge back into a driving lane and reduce their speed to the speed limit?

This is an article about a man who was stabbed to death over some kind of traffic related thing. Yet people are arguing about which lane to pass in or what is or isn't a reasonable speed limit? Am I the only who finds that strange?

Road rage of whatever you want to call it is wrong. Driving up on people rear ends and flashing your lights is wrong. Getting out of your car to throw down on another driver is wrong. This is not some kind of pissing contest or test to see whose thing is the biggest (sorry ladies).

People who seek out confrontations like the people in this article have serious emotional and psychological problems. Confrontations like this almost always end badly. They are pointless. They are never safe. If you're lucky, all that happens is that you get out of your car, stand in the middle of some street screaming at the top of your lungs and looking like a completely out of control maniac to everyone around including any friends and family who might be along for the ride. If you're unlucky, you or somebody else gets injured or, like this poor guy in the article, gets killed. You may think it's standing up for yourself and showing just how big your balls are but what is that really gonna get you. You gonna go home and tell your friends just how much of a bad ass you are because you scared the crap out of some other person and made them wet their pants. You may win a few battles, but this kind of uber aggressive behavior will eventually catch up with you and you will lose the war.

People who blow up like this have serious anger management issues which probably manifest themselves in other ways as well. It's a real shame for grown adults to act like this regardless of whose fault it might be. This kind of behavior is seriously scary and people like this really need to chill out, grow up and get a life before something that can't be undone happens that ruins not only their life but the life of somebody else.

If you're lucky, all that happens is that you get out of your car, stand in the middle of some street screaming at the top of your lungs and looking like a completely out of control maniac to everyone

Not me. I tend to think that person is screaming for a reason. But it totally depends on their manner and what they say if I can hear it.

Road rage of whatever you want to call it is wrong. Driving up on people rear ends and flashing your lights is wrong. Getting out of your car to throw down on another driver is wrong.

Yes to all the above except flashing lights. Its not wrong unless you do it excessively. When I do it, its just to ask someone to move over so I can pass, and I only do it a little. When its a hint its fine. When its done over and over, or worse, just full high beams from behind, its wrong.

But I will say this: the people who receive that sort of behavior are also in the wrong too. But people often make the mistake that if one person is wrong the other is right, and that is just not true. Both the aggressor an the aggressed can be completely wrong.

Should they continue driving on in the "passing lane" perhaps at a speed that exceeds the speed limit?

It totally depends on what is happening in front and behind. If no one is behind, and its clear they will have to pass again in less than a minute, then no sense changing lanes.

If they are already exceeding the limit by 20k or so and will need to pass again soon, no change is necessary. (Sometimes I could merge, and some guy wants to go even faster, but I don't bother.)

Should they merge back into a driving lane and reduce their speed to the speed limit?

Not unless they want to.

Your problem is that you want the rules to be hard, fast and absolute. Flexibility is required to deal with real world situations. Rules change to meet them, sometimes permanently. And the speed limits of Japan are a rule that is utter crap.

Should they merge back into a driving lane and reduce their speed to the speed limit? Not unless they want to.

OK. So passing lanes are for passing and driving lanes are for driving, unless somebody wants to use the passing lane for driving because of a real world situation such as wanting to drive in the passing lane?

(Sometimes I could merge, and some guy wants to go even faster, but I don't bother.)

OK. You're in the passing lane, maybe even driving 20kmh over the speed limit. Some guy driving even faster comes up behind you. You could merge (so that he could pass), but you don't bother?

What happened to "But let me put it another way. For someone to take it upon themselves to block a person behind them who wants to go faster is dangerous and foolish. "?

Shouldn't you have seen the other car coming up behind you and gotten right back in the slow lane?

So confusing.