WEBVTT

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(instrumental Japanese music)

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- [Instructor] Welcome to Okinawa Japan,

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your home for the next six to 36 months.

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When one thinks of Okinawa,
cultural differences

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such as language, dress, food
and customs come to mind.

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However, none of these
hold the amount of anxiety

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or even fear as does driving in Okinawa.

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The population of over 1.4 million people

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drive nearly one million
vehicles and 50,000 motorcycles

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in an area approximately 65 miles long

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and 17 miles at the widest point,

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leading to a plethora
of driving regulations

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and high chance of mishaps.

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Newcomers to Okinawa have to deal with

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driving on the right side of the car

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and on what we see as the
wrong side of the road.

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Whether this is your first or
fifth assignment to Okinawa,

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this video will ease your transition

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to the island's roadways
by offering insight

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into local customs and laws.

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One of the first things you may notice

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is the traffic congestion.

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And because there is no subway system,

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residents mainly depend on
automobiles for transportation.

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Adding to the dilemma, are speed limits

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that are slower than in the US

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and a relaxed lifestyle
amongst the locals,

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as they are not always in a rush.

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Having patience and understanding

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will make driving less stressful

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and leave a good impression on our hosts.

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In order to own and operate
a motor vehicle in Japan

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all persons must be appropriately licensed

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with the United States
Forces Japan, Form 4-EJ,

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Status of Forces
Agreement or SOFA license.

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In order to apply for a SOFA license

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you must have a valid license
from your respective state

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or, if a first time driver,

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attend an accredited
drivers program in Japan.

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All applicants must be
at least 16 years of age.

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However, personnel under age 18

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are authorized to drive only on base.

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Those who wish to drive
a motorcycle must attend

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the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation basic riders course

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provided by a Marine Corps
installation safety office

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located on Kadena Air Force Base.

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For additional information
on motorcycle licensing,

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contact the motorcycle training office

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at 634-24-50.

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Drivers are required by
Japanese and military-law

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to ensure all passengers are belted

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while the vehicle is in motion.

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Children ages five and
under are to be secured

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in an infant or child safety seat.

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Keeping children in
mind, military regulation

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prohibits leaving children
ages nine and under

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unattended in vehicles
regardless of time or reason.

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Violators will be cited,

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which can result in a
suspension of driving privileges

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or administrative action.

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Drivers should be aware
that any SOFA member

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can report traffic infractions

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committed by another SOFA member

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that falls under the provisions

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of the Marine Corps Bases Japan
Traffic-Supervision Court.

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The complainant may report to
any military police district

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and fill out the Traffic
Violation Report Complaint Form

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or fill out the online
form at the website listed.

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Just like most states in the US,

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texting and cell phone use while driving

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is strictly prohibited,

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the only exception being
a hands-free device.

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Be aware that many vehicles

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will abruptly stop in the flow of traffic

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to answer a call.

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Bus-exclusive lanes are
exactly what they sound like,

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for buses only.

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The green lane furthest left

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can be used most times of the day.

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However, at various locations
throughout the island

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they are restricted during certain hours.

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In Okinawa, buses have the right of way.

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Vehicles must come to a complete stop

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to let the bus merge back into traffic.

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On all military installations

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vehicles must stop in either direction

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when approaching a school bus
with the stop sign activated

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or a green line with the
hazard lights flashing.

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Pedestrians have right of way

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when crossing a street at crosswalks.

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Local children are taught to
raise their hand when crossing

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and drivers are to stop
to ensure their safety.

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Be watchful for small children and elderly

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as they will sometimes cross
the street without warning.

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Penalties in Japan for
driving under the influence

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or driving while intoxicated

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are among the strictest
of industrialized nations.

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If cited for a DUI, those
with blood alcohol content

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between 0.03 and 0.079,

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you will face up to three years

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or a fine of up to 500,000 Yen.

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If cited for a DWI, those
whose blood alcohol content

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exceeds 0.08, you will face
up to five years in prison

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or a fine of up to one million yen.

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In either case, you can rest assured

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that your license will
be suspended or revoked

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for a minimum of six months.

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Refusal to take a BAC
test will result in arrest

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and a blood sample being taken.

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Other potential causes for
fines and incarceration

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are riding with an intoxicated driver

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or serving alcohol to a known driver.

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If you are intoxicated,

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thus unable to drive legally, call a DICO.

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DICO will provide a licensed operator

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to drive your vehicle to the
destination of your choosing.

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Simply call the number listed

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in the emergency telephone number section

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of your US Forces Japan operator's permit,

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and two drivers, one to drive your vehicle

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and one to follow behind

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will show up to get you home safely.

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Despite being illegal,
mopeds and motorcycles

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will sometimes drive
in between moving cars

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on the shoulders of traffic lanes.

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Always be aware of these
vehicles between lanes

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to avoid a collision.

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Be patient with
motorcycles in front of you

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as they take longer to accelerate
and will stop abruptly.

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Be especially alert for
motorcycles on the shoulder

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when you make a right
turn into heavy traffic.

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Only make the turn when
you can clearly see

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that it's clear to go.

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When driving on the Okinawa Expressway,

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the maximum speed limit
is 80 kilometers per hour

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or 50 miles per hour.

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Additionally, the right lane
is used as the passing lane,

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not the left.

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When you come to a toll road,

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make sure to have Yen on
hand to cover the fare.

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Should you lose the expressway ticket

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dispersed from the automatic teller,

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you'll be charged the full fare

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from the most distant
entranceway to the expressway.

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Parking in Okinawa is severely limited.

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Make sure you park in designated spaces

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to ensure you do not get cited.

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All parking and traffic
fines must be paid in Yen

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at any Japanese bank or
post office within 14 days.

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Off base, unlike in the US,

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it is illegal to turn on a red light.

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As a reminder, make sure to check

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your side and rear-view mirrors
before executing a turn.

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When you come to a traffic
light you will notice

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that light changes take longer
than back in the States.

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Also be on the lookout for drivers

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proceeding through the intersection

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after receiving the red
light signal to stop.

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When you receive the green light to go

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always make sure opposing traffic

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has come to a complete stop.

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Materials used to construct
the roads on Okinawa

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are not the same as the
ones used in America.

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Here, all roads other than
the Okinawa Expressway

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are mixed with limestone, which
is very slippery when wet.

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In addition to being slippery,

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limestone roads deteriorate fast.

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So, expect a bumpy ride from time to time.

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Drive with caution when
conditions are poor

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and give yourself plenty of room to brake.

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Along some roadways you
may notice traffic cameras

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like the ones shown to
detect speeding violators.

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You may have made it to your destination

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without being physically handed a ticket,

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but you will receive one in
the mail a few days later.

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Speeding is a serious
penalty under Japanese law

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and carries a hefty fine.

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Okinawan drivers are not
used to merging into traffic,

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they tend to come to a complete stop

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and when it is safe to go

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they will proceed into a lane of traffic.

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Again, be patient and look in front of you

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as well as in your side and
rear-view mirrors when merging.

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As a professional driver you
must be aware that this sign

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identifies a beginner
driver is behind the wheel.

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As such, be extra cautious
driving around them

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as they are known to drive slower

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and brake abruptly and frequently.

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If you get into an accident
with a beginner driver,

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the fault will be on you
no matter the circumstance.

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The same applies to senior citizens.

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In the unfortunate case

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that you happen to get into an accident,

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both drivers are required
to stay on the scene

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until released by police.

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Failure to obey this law
will result in a citation.

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As you prepare to drive
on the roads of Okinawa

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be mindful of the following intersections,

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which are notorious for accidents.

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Just south of Camp Foster on Highway 58

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is the ISA Intersection.

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Numerous rear-end collisions occur here

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as drivers look for a
break in traffic to merge,

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failing to notice the
vehicle in front of them

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has suddenly hit the brakes.

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Amici Nowacki Intersection,

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approximately one mile
west of Kadena's gate three

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is another dangerous location

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where motorists need to be vigilant.

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Many tour buses bring passengers

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to view the air operations
on the Kadena flight line.

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Therefore, remain watchful

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of pedestrians crossing the street.

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Finally, the Kokutai Street intersection,

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which is only a quarter mile
south of Kadena gate one,

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where Highway 23 merges into Highway 58,

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is the scene of many
high-speed traffic mishaps.

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When approaching this intersection,

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reduce your speed so you
are able to brake suddenly

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if pedestrians, cyclists or other cars

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attempt to cross or merge.

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As you become accustomed
to the rules of the road

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you will feel much more at ease,

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allowing yourself to venture
further out from base

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and immerse yourself into the
magnificent local culture,

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making your tour here much more enjoyable.