Tucked subsequent to roads operating by faculty zones in Japan are some hand-painted mascots generally known as “Tobita-kun, or more formally, “Tobidashi Bōya,” which implies “running boy.” These indicators are reminders for native drivers to decelerate, and in response to Atlas Obscura, they helped in Japan’s so-called Traffic War.
The Traffic Wars is a reputation given to the interval of the Fifties and ’60s the place visitors fatalities rocked the island nation. Pair a booming economic system with roads stuffed with fledgling drivers and rudimentary automotive applied sciences, and you’ve got a recipe for catastrophe. There have been loads of ways in which Japan eased the chaos on the roads, akin to with unimaginable public transit networks, a ban on avenue parking, mandates requiring smaller autos — and people aforementioned highway indicators.
The first “running boy” signal was designed by Yasuhei Hisada for town council of Yokaichi, Shiga Prefecture. The charming design included a younger boy poking his head and a part of his physique out into visitors — a reminder for drivers to concentrate on any foot visitors darting out into the roadway. The mascot shortly grew in reputation, turning into mandated by loads of native cities and neighborhoods.
From Atlas Obscura:
While Tobita-kun displays Japan’s efforts towards visitors security, and is undoubtedly an iconic determine, the direct influence of the indicators is unknowable. Asked about their influence, a spokesperson for the Japan Automobile Federation famous “[The JAF] has not formally investigated the effect,” and can’t definitively quantify their influence.
Indeed, Tobita-kun appears to be one in every of many elements that helped resolve Japan’s visitors conflict.
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Public security campaigns for motorists are additionally frequent. “On a nationwide and ongoing basis, we are implementing a project called ‘Omoiyalty Drive,’” writes the JAF spokesperson in an e-mail. Translated roughly as “compassionate” or “thoughtful” driving, the initiative is described as a “caring project” designed to bolster persistence, good manners, and visitors etiquette amongst motorists and pedestrians.
Combined, the measures have been efficient. Road fatalities in Japan have declined to only 25 p.c of peak 1970 figures, in response to the NILIM.
Japan is a rustic that loves its mascots, however these mascots usually characterize a cultural affection — be it for a selected metropolis, and even for the kids which may come out into visitors close to a faculty zone. Tobita-kun won’t have solved all of Japan’s visitors issues, but it surely did present a rallying level round which Japanese residents may focus their intentions for change.
Source: jalopnik.com