The Banetsu Road Microbus Accident Taught Us a Lesson
Pro Driver."The real meaning of
Driving record, two licenses, safety management system - professional drivers have "proof".
Self-driving vs. professional driving, the difference makes the difference between life and death.
A microbus collision occurred on the Banetsu Expressway in Koriyama City. The police found the driver, a 68-year-old man, nearArrested on suspicion of negligent driving manslaughter.The company has decided to make a policy to do so. Whether this driver was a "professional driver" or not - that single point is packed with the biggest lesson to be learned from this accident.
It is a common practice throughout Japan for "acquaintances" and "employees" to drive microbuses for large groups of people. This accident, however, was not such a case,How "who drives" directly affects lives.We have once again confronted the issue of the "what is the difference between a professional driver and a non-professional driver? This article will sort out the essential differences between professional drivers and non-professionals and explain in detail what it means to choose a jumbo or wagon cab driven by a professional.
CHAPTER 01 Microbus Accident on Banetsu Expressway--Lessons Learned from this Accident
Was the 68-year-old driver an "occupational driver"?
What does the fact that "68-year-old male, negligent driver, fatally injured" reveal about him?Most likely was not a professional driver in the passenger transportation business.This is the point. If the driver is a professional driver for a passenger carrier licensed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, he/she is required by law to take a roll call before departure, conduct an alcohol check, and be checked by the operation manager. If these systems had been functioning, a tragedy like this could have been prevented.
- A medium-sized driver's license or higher is required to drive a microbus (capacity of 11 to 29 passengers), though,It's one thing to have a license, it's quite another to be able to safely manage and drive.is
- The overall length, width, blind spots, and braking distance of a vehicle are fundamentally different from those of a passenger car, making it very difficult to drive safely on public roads without specialized training
- Fatigue, poor physical condition, and decreased reaction time due to aging,Mechanisms to eliminate risks that depend on individuals in advanceThat is what professional organizations are all about!
What this accident asks of us
- Questioning the meaning of "letting someone else" do the driving--Important to leave it to "professionals with safety responsibilities" rather than "licensed personnel".
- Driving a large vehicle requires a different level of skill and experience.--the greatest risk is to think that you can drive the car as if it were a passenger car.
- Pre-operational safety check processes can make the difference between life and death.--checking physical condition, alcohol testing, and vehicle inspections will only work if they are mandatory.
- Need to systematically manage characteristics of older drivers--should be objectively controlled by aptitude tests and medical examinations, rather than relying on personal feeling.
- The price of letting non-professionals drive for "cost savings"--The risks to human life far outweigh the cost savings.
CHAPTER 02 Proof of "driving record" required of professional drivers.
What is a driving record--a professional "resume"?
To engage in passenger transportation as a professional driver, simply having a driver's license is not enough. The employing carrier mustObligation to obtain and verify the applicant's "Driving Record Certificate" without fail.The certificate is issued by the Japan Safe Driving Center. This is an official certificate issued by the Japan Center for Automobile Safety and Driving, which lists all past traffic violations, accidents, and license cancellations or suspensions.
Official certification that must be verified by the "employer" of the occupational driver.
- ▶Issuing Institution:Issued by the Japan Driving Safety Center. Official document recording driving history for the past 3, 5, or all of the past 3 years.
- ▶Recorded Contents:Type and number of traffic violations, record of traffic accidents (first party), and full history of license revocations, suspensions, and revocations in effect
- ▶Obligation of passenger carriers to obtain:Based on guidelines from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, operators are strongly required to obtain and check driving records when hiring drivers
- ▶Periodic update checks:It is the standard of a professional operator to continue to check the driver's driving record on a regular basis, not only at the time of hiring, but also during his/her employment!
- ▶Businesses that do not check this certificate are at risk:Any operator that allows passengers to board without checking the driver's past is fundamentally inadequate in safety management.
Four proofs of being a "professional"
Submission and verification of driving record
Must be obtained by the operator prior to hiring. Checks past violation/accident history and only allows passengers to be carried by problem-free individuals.
Obligation to obtain a second-class license
A second-class passenger license is required to transport passengers. The academic and practical tests are much more difficult than the first class, and certify the skill to safely transport passengers.
Periodic physical examination and aptitude test
Medical examinations are required by law at least once a year or twice a year. Changes in physical functions due to aging are also systematically monitored and managed.
Pre-departure roll call and alcohol test
Conducted every time by the operation manager. The process of ensuring that alcohol consumption and poor physical condition are eliminated is a critical difference from ordinary drivers.
CHAPTER 03 Self-driving vs. professional driving--the difference makes the difference between life and death.
Overall picture of the risks involved in "driving on our own
At first glance, "driving your own car" appears to be a cost-saving option for large groups of people on company trips, weddings, funerals, sports expeditions, and so on. In reality, however,Invisible Costs and RisksThe worst of them is the accident on the Ban-Etsu Expressway. The recent accident on the Banetsu Expressway is the worst possible outcome of this situation. Please check the difference between self-driving and professional driving item by item in the following comparison.
🚐 Own operation
Cases in which an acquaintance, employee, or secretary drives
🚕 Professional operation
Professional driver of jumbo cab and wagon cab
Conclusion -- "Cost savings" in self-driving is an illusion
Self-supporting operations appear to be cheaper "if no accidents occur". Even one serious accident, such as the one that occurred on the Banetsu Expressway, will result in the loss of human lives, compensation, and trust in the organization. Entrusting to professionals is not a "cost" but an "investment in safety.
CHAPTER 04 I want to leave it to the professionals - situations where jumbo cabs and wagon cabs can make the most of their services.
Professional Drivers for "Important Moves
Group transfers for weddings, funerals and legal events
The day of the funeral/wedding is physically and mentally draining. It is very dangerous for someone to drive an unfamiliar large vehicle. You can get in the car with your mourning clothes on and head to the ceremony without the stress of transportation.
Large group transportation to and from airports and Shinkansen stations
We are professionals in selecting routes, avoiding traffic congestion, and proposing early departures based on flight times. Everyone can travel with their luggage and relax until arrival.
Group expeditions for skiing, mountaineering, and outdoor activities
Snow-covered roads and mountain trails are nerve-wracking even for experienced drivers. The more cargo, the worse the road surface, and the more fatigue - the more adverse these conditions are, the more a call to a professional will save lives.
Company travel, corporate training, inspection travel
Graduate from the "someone has to drive at the expense of others" structure. Everyone can travel in a relaxed manner, and performance at the site will be enhanced.
Transportation home after drinking and partying
Only Jumbo Taxi can reduce the risk of drunk driving to zero. Everyone, including the organizers, can enjoy themselves to the fullest and return home safely.
CHAPTER 05 Things to check before booking with JumboTaxi.com
Information to be prepared at the time of reservation
JumboTaxy.comThen, you can easily make a reservation through our contact form. It will be easier if you prepare the following in advance.
- Date, time, location, and destination of the ride (share the route if there are multiple stops)
- Number of passengers (adults, children, and infants) and whether they have oversized luggage
- Flight number and Shinkansen car number information for airport/station pickups and drop-offs
- Whether or not a child safety seat is required (and the age and weight of the child if accompanied by a child)
- Confirmation of availability of expressways and toll roads
Safety Checklist for Selecting a Business
- Have you obtained a passenger transport permit (green license plate number) from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism?--Picking up and dropping off passengers with white license plates is illegal and risks being uninsured.
- Is the driver's driving record checked at the time of hiring?--It is also the passenger's natural right to check directly with the operator.
- Are pre-departure roll call and alcohol tests conducted?--Omitted operators are fundamentally inadequate in their safety management.
- Is passenger bodily injury insurance and voluntary insurance in place?--compensation system in the event of an accident protects the safety of passengers.
For safe transportation, go to Professional Driver. Book now.
Driving record, driver's license, and safety management system - JumboTaxi.com has everything you need, and our professionals are ready to help.
Wedding, funeral, sightseeing, airport transfers, corporate transfers, and all other occasions.
The microbus accident on the Banetsu Expressway in Koriyama City provided a significant opportunity to rethink the question of who should drive. Driving record checks, second-class licenses, periodic medical examinations, and pre-departure roll calls - these are all things that professional drivers are required to have in place. Because you are transporting your loved ones, you should entrust your transportation to a professional driver who has all the certifications. Let me reiterate. Regret begins after an accident occurs. It is too late to cry "Why didn't I ask a professional driver at that time?" after losing a loved one. You have the right to choose the cheapest price. But - you are also the one who will receive the results of that choice.
