How should Hongkongers prepare for road trips? Experts weigh in after Japan accidents
Automobile association chief and insurance expert urge residents to plan ahead and take precautions after two recent accidents in Japan
Hong Kong travellers should be mindful of driving fatigue, unfamiliar road signs and their insurance coverage when going on road trips overseas, experts have warned after two traffic accidents involving city residents in Japan within a week.
Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, said on Wednesday that various factors could affect drivers’ concentration and energy when navigating foreign roads.
He explained that car trips between places in a relatively small city such as Hong Kong might take only about an hour, but journeys between airports, hotels and attractions overseas could take much longer.
“Drivers might be distracted [by the unfamiliar roads and GPS] and get tired without realising it,” Lee said. “These could be the likely causes of traffic accidents overseas involving Hongkongers.”
The car crossed into the opposite lane on National Route 38 in Furano and collided with another vehicle carrying two Japanese nationals at around 3.30pm local time.