School zone at going-home time
Look at the picture, read the situation, and mark each of the three statements true (○) or false (✕). All three right scores 2 points.
You are driving through a school zone at 20 km/h when several elementary school children come out of the school gate. The children are walking along the left side of the road. Answer true or false for each of the following.
- (1)The children are over on the sidewalk side, so you pass at the same speed.
- (2)Children can suddenly run out into the road, so you slow to a stop-ready speed (jokō) as you pass.
- (3)If you sound the horn to alert the children, you can pass safely.
Show the answers and explanation
- (1) ✕ FalseThe children are over on the sidewalk side, so you pass at the same speed.
- (2) ○ TrueChildren can suddenly run out into the road, so you slow to a stop-ready speed (jokō) as you pass.
- (3) ✕ FalseIf you sound the horn to alert the children, you can pass safely.
Explanation
On school routes and in school zones, slow to a stop-ready speed (jokō) (Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 3, 4). Because children move unpredictably (Road Traffic Act, Art. 71, item 2), you must slow to a stop-ready speed (jokō) and leave plenty of space to the side. Sounding the horn may even startle them into running out.
Source: Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 3, 4 (slowing to a stop-ready speed (jokō) on residential streets and school routes) / Road Traffic Act, Art. 71, item 2 (protecting unaccompanied children)
