Driving Safety Course

Anyone in the military who wants to drive a government vehicle (we call them GOVY's) has to take a driving course. Usually, it's just a short class because most people already have a drivers license. It gets tricky overseas because of the different rules. Malta, Means and I were sent to take the class on Monday, I was surprised to see Jessica was also taking the class. It was nice not to wear the charlie uniform (short sleeved tan shirt with shirt stays and green pants) like we usually do because the Marines at the station work under the Air Force which has a new policy about wearing your service uniform on Mondays.

Our class was taught by Mr. Navo, a force master sergeant. He led a 2 day class on how to drive safely. We took classes on the Japanese road signs and some situations. We also watched an old 1990 film about driving in Japan which was amusing. Someone in the class from combat camera thought they could do better.

Mr. Navo was full of interesting facts and other information about driving in Japan. So I compiled a list.

Top 15 Weird Japanese Driving Norms:
1. Okinawans think the safest place for a child is in the mother's arms - even when driving
2. No left turns on red
3. Drivers with less than 1 year on the road have a yellow/green sticker on their car and the elderly have a red/yellow sticker
4. Normally 3-4 cars blow a red light
5. The normal driving speed limit is 50KM or 31MPH
6. It costs a Japanese civilian $3,000 to get a drivers license
7. Kids raise their hand when crossing the street
8. Kids often don't wear seatbelts and around the vehicle
9. The roads are very slippery because they are partly made with crushed coral
10. Most Okinawans come to a complete stop when merging
11. Japanese drive on the left side of the road
12. The blood alchol allowance when driving is .03 which can even be triggered by mouthwash
13. Okinawans like to change lanes without signalling
14. The windor wiper control and turn signals switch sides
15. Okinawans have been known to get out of their cars on red lights and pee on their tires during red lights