On the 11th of this month, a 99-year-old man drove the wrong way through the Enasan Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway and collided with an oncoming vehicle. Amid calls for the elderly to surrender their driving licenses, a driving school in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, held a practical driving course for drivers aged 50 and above the day before yesterday.
At these seminars held nationwide, the purpose is to make participants aware of their “driving habits” and “changes in physical abilities” and to promote safe driving.
The average age of participants in this session was 64.4 years, with the oldest participant being 78 years old. Why did they decide to participate?
“My reflexes are slowing down. I wanted to test my own abilities,” said a 56-year-old male.
“I find it a bit difficult to pass cars on narrow roads. I never used to think that,” remarked a 69-year-old male.
“Bicycles are really scary. It’s truly frightening when children suddenly come out riding bicycles,” noted a 67-year-old male.
“My vision has declined, so I don’t drive very
