Japan - Drivers License, Deaths and Injuries
Danny Choo is a guestblogger on Boing Boing. Danny resides in Tokyo, and blogs about life in Japan and Japanese subculture - he also works part time for the empire.
These numbers can be seen at every Koban (police box) throughout Japan and show how many people got injured or died in traffic accidents. 166 people were injured yesterday. 4 people have died so far this year and 1675 people have been injured.
Photo taken when I went to get my drivers license renewed - you can read about the process in my Japan Drivers License article where I also talk about the incredibly depressing video that they show you before the license is issued - and before watching the video, the officer says that if you fall asleep while watching then no license for you ;-)
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I too am a victim of the depressing Japanese Licence Renewal video. Even though my Japanese isn't great the universal language of uncontrolled sobbing broke through the barrier and I left the room with a new licence and heavy heart.
I've always wondered what those numbers on the Koban sign meant, so thanks. I knew they meant deaths and injuries from something or other, but I never remembered to ask anyone about it.
As a kid in the late 60's/early 70's I remember visiting relatives in Roanoke, VA. and seeing the Mill Mountain star lit in red when someone died in traffic that day -- made a big impression on me as I'm sure it did many as the star is visible throughout much of the valley.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Star