tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post1880269945529719591..comments2023-07-05T16:19:22.148+09:00Comments on Mike in Japan: Idling Cars are Michael's PlaythingsMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12732766041625631376noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post-13710684664419955232011-08-28T00:38:04.915+09:002011-08-28T00:38:04.915+09:00Great article, Myself from Canada and seeing this ...Great article, Myself from Canada and seeing this here in Fukuoka where I currently live, I'm sick and tired of it. I have approached so many drivers "environmental Terrorist" killing our air and contributing to global warming and asked them could you cut the engine in broken Japanese cos of ( I give a reason Like global warming etc). 95% of the time they cooperate with a smile or nod and understanding. I see cars Idling with no one inside while the owners are shopping etc, and some times there is a child inside, I immediatly notify Store staff and so all they they check it out and announce the vehicle info and plate number to stop this CRIME now. I wish Japan had more car thieves maybe then this foolishness would stop...Connivence stores are also a big problem for idling or lounging. Most japanese I know have never noticed this epidemic problem. So I think education is the key guilt and shame. I've printed out one of these posters to show drivers through the window, Cos most time the windows are closed. http://www.letsjapan.markmode.com/index.php/2008/12/18/stop-idling-for-10-years-campaign/<br />or:<br />http://martinjapan.blogspot.com/2010/06/car-engine-idling-stop-wasting-fossile.html<br />I just changed the city to Fukuoka and I had A 8x10 sign to show them.<br />Also if cars in Japan had automatic daytime running lights like we do In Canada, It would be much easier to see all these cars dirtying our air. <br /><br />PS there is a bento service here in fukuoka that I see their little trucks idling while they make their deliveries, I tell them to shut it off, they say cos of the bentosthey have to keep the AC on but I tell them environment is first, business 2nd. <br />The irony to this is they use an animated blue & green earth logo with word natural on their vans cos they use all natural veggies, food from the earth etc in their bentos, but i said then you must remove this logo of the earth cos you are doing more harm than good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post-78518127876680990462010-10-18T01:28:52.675+09:002010-10-18T01:28:52.675+09:00I agree that roundabouts are better for all the re...I agree that roundabouts are better for all the reasons you mention, but only in situations with minimal traffic. They're good at replacing four-way stops (e.g. at the bottom of the hill in Caddy Bay, but I wouldn't put them at major intersections (e.g. McKenzie and Shelbourne). Once you get past a certain traffic threshold, it's too complicated to co-ordinate entry and exit and you'll get a bunch more accidents.David Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13710657164031182109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post-17707469116039904942010-10-12T12:25:05.288+09:002010-10-12T12:25:05.288+09:00You may have to wait to get in the roundabout but ...You may have to wait to get in the roundabout but traffic is always moving in one so you're not waiting as long - you're always moving forward. How many times have you sat at a red light with no traffic coming the other way? That never happens in a roundabout. I'm a huge proponent of roundabouts.<br /><br />I think the trick now is enforcing the legislation that has been passed because you're right - they're not well-publicized nor well-enforced. My hometown has anti-idling legislation but it's not enforced. Granted it is difficult to do... Maybe what needs to happen is a blitz for a few weeks - like what happened with the no-cell-phones-while-driving laws.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12732766041625631376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post-55020646670356009752010-10-12T04:52:06.997+09:002010-10-12T04:52:06.997+09:00Roundabouts only work in certain situations I thin...Roundabouts only work in certain situations I think; if you have too many cars, you'll have to idle while waiting your turn to enter the roundabout.<br /><br />The trick is legislation probably. Pass a law that prohibits excessive idling (with a clear definition of the amount of time considered "excessive"). Apparently some Canadian cities have gone this route, although I doubt their laws are well-publicized or well-enforced (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/communities-government/transportation/municipal-communities/reports/existing-bylaws.cfm?attr=28).David Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13710657164031182109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620514807510403597.post-39726554201277595762010-10-12T01:37:12.437+09:002010-10-12T01:37:12.437+09:00Wow, I cannot believe that! I rarely see people i...Wow, I cannot believe that! I rarely see people idling here, I can't imagine just leaving my car running while I go take a nap at the park. It sounds totally ridiculous.<br /><br />Another solution to the red light idling situation is roundabouts instead of lights. I think there's been some discussion to start having more of these in Victoria...Rosehttp://lifeasrose.canoreply@blogger.com