While driving simulations in Vietnam are mandatory tests using 3D videos, where learners must stop at the exact moment a dangerous situation begins to score high, Japan takes a different approach. In Japan, simulation scenarios use real-world road videos and are solely for learning, not for examination.
The objective of this exercise is not to test reflexes, but to cultivate in learners the habit of observing, analyzing, and preparing for risks before they even materialize.
Students watch simulation videos depicting situations such as pedestrians standing in blind spots, cyclists suddenly appearing, or a vehicle ahead braking abruptly. The instructor pauses the video at critical moments, just before a potential accident, then asks students to identify hazards and safe handling methods. This detailed analysis of minor elements allows students to thoroughly dissect situations, gaining a deeper understanding of seemingly normal scenarios that harbor significant risks.
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A video simulating a dangerous situation in Japan. Video: JAF
For instance, in one simulation video, a car prepares to turn right into a narrow alley. The instructor pauses the simulation and asks students, "What should you pay attention to before turning?". After students provide their observations, the video continues, and an unexpected situation unfolds: a cyclist emerges from the turn, swerving into the middle of the road to avoid a pedestrian. If a student had only answered, "pay attention to the white oto ahead," that response would be incomplete. The crucial observation needed is not only the white oto but also the convex mirror at the intersection corner, which clearly shows the approaching cyclist from the blind spot.
In parallel with video lessons, driving schools often conduct sessions in simulated cockpits. Here, students drive in simulated environments with rain, narrow roads, vehicles cutting them off, or pedestrians crossing improperly. These lessons allow learners to experience dangerous situations in a safe environment before driving on actual roads.
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A situation in a simulation test in Vietnam. Screenshot |
A situation in a simulation test in Vietnam. Screenshot
Notably, Japan implements dangerous traffic situation simulations for training purposes only, not for grading during exams. In the licensing examination, candidates do not take a video simulation test. Instead, hazard prediction skills are assessed during a practical road test, where examiners evaluate how candidates observe, maintain distance, reduce speed, and handle situations at blind spots.
This approach to driver training yields significant results, helping new drivers in Japan quickly develop habits of assessing and anticipating dangerous situations through long-range observation, frequent mirror checks, and attention to blind spots. This is also why Japan's driving culture is often considered cautious and highly preventative.
Ho Tan
