Community Safety Enhanced through Rally Driver Philanthropy
In the small town of Rankoshi, located approximately 2.5 hours by car from Sapporo, a unique event took place. The Good Driver Lesson event, coordinated with local police and Toyota dealerships, aimed to promote safe driving and utilise the expertise of professional rally drivers.
Rankoshi, a town in Aichi prefecture, hosted the first Good Driver Lesson event in August 2023, following a request from Mayor Hideyuki Kon for advice on traffic safety for older residents. The town, with a population of approximately 4,500, relies heavily on private vehicles for daily transportation, making road safety a top concern.
The event was led by six top Japanese rally drivers: Fumio Nutahara, Norihiko Katsuta, Toshihiro Arai, Yuta Yamamoto, Takahito Sone, and Yuya Sumiyama. Fumio Nutahara, being a car lover, felt motivated to address the issue of senior drivers causing accidents due to mistaken pedals.
The Good Driver Lesson event in Rankoshi utilises Suppocars, Toyota's safety support vehicles, to educate participants about safe driving. These vehicles are equipped with the latest technology, providing a valuable opportunity for people to learn about the advancements in road safety.
Chairman Akio Toyoda emphasises that pro drivers, despite their fast speeds, prioritise safety in their racing. These skilled drivers are considered to be experts at risk avoidance and can convey both safe driving skills and fun. The winner of a rally is the one who reaches the finish line without causing any accidents, demonstrating the importance of safe driving in motorsports.
The Super Special Stage of the tournament was held inside Toyota Stadium, where pro drivers offered safe driving tips, particularly for older drivers. The Good Driver Lesson event is a vital opportunity for people to learn about safe driving and the latest technology, and it is based on the idea that conveying a little of what rally drivers do for safe driving could help people drive more safely in their daily lives.
The Good Driver Lesson event started in 2019 in Rankoshi, Hokkaido, during the Japanese Rally Championship. The Forum8 Rally Japan 2023 took place from November 16 to 19, 2023, in Aichi and Gifu prefectures. On November 22, a Good Driver Lesson event was held at Toyota Stadium, marking another successful year of this unique safe driving initiative.
References:
- Japanese Driving Tests and Licensing Procedures
- Road Safety Education in Japan
- General Information about the Good Driver Lesson Program
- Specific Information about the Good Driver Lesson Program
- Official Good Driver Lesson Program Website
In the continuation of their mission to promote safe driving, the Good Driver Lesson event in Rankoshi expanded its focus beyond automobile operations to encompass personal growth and education-and-self-development, as seminars on sports-analysis and risk avoidance were incorporated into the program. Skilled rally drivers, being experts in sports and safe driving, shared insights on how these skills can aid in personal growth and daily life. The event reinforced the idea that embracing the teachings of sports analysis, especially from pro drivers, could foster a safer driving environment for everyone.
