CULTURES ON WHEELS-3: ATTITUDES TOWARD THE AUTOMOBILE AND MOTORING PRACTICES. COMPARISON OF WEST GERMANY AND JAPAN

In this article a Japanese physicist who spent three years at Heidelberg University, West Germany, compares his personal experience with driver education, training and licensing in both countries. He also compares the two countries with respect to attitudes toward drinking and driving, methods of holding the steering wheel, attitudes toward grade crossings, and the handling of traffic accidents. The article is interesting, informative, and at times unintentionally humorous. For example, Dr. Hirose observed that West German restrictions on drinking and driving are not as severe as in Japan. He also observed that his driving instructor in West Germany kept a bottle of whiskey under the car seat. This same instructor informed Dr. Hirose that drinking coffee would make him nervous during practice sessions, but that a little beer would make him more relaxed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Toyota Motor Corporation

  International Public Affairs Dept, 1-4-18, Koraku
  Tokyo 112,   Japan 
• Authors:
  • Hirose, T
• Publication Date: 1983-7

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 23-27
• Serial:
  • WHEEL EXTENDED
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Attitudes; Driver education; Driver licensing; Driver training; Driving; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Handling characteristics; Railroad grade crossings; Traffic crashes
• Geographic Terms: Germany; Japan
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389421
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-036 677
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM