Tom: Recently it seems the elderly are having more and more traffic accidents.
Miho: That’s why increasing numbers of the elderly are handing in their driving licenses. Because aging impairs your decision-making ability, many do things like mistaking the accelerator for the break.
Tom: Isn’t there an age limit for those holding a driver’s license?
Miho: While you might obtain your license aged 18, it is valid for life.
Tom: It is dangerous, but you have to take a short course when you renew it, don’t you?
Miho: Elderly people are required to take a dementia test; however, some people continue driving even though they’ve been told they are exhibiting symptoms.
Tom: That’s why accidents caused by the elderly aren’t going down. Isn’t it possible to impose an age limit?
Miho: In cities, buses and trains run frequently, but in the countryside, it is hard to get around
without a car.
Tom: I see. Wouldn’t it be great if someone came up with a solution?
Miho: A device was developed that makes the break function automatically if the driver suddenly steps on the accelerator. It can be easily fitted to most cars. In addition, I’ve heard that some municipalities offer discounts to those that take taxis and buses.
Tom: In the near future automatic cars will be an option, so you don’t have to worry!
Miho: I hope that a huge accident won’t happen before then.
高齢者の
koreisha no
(the) elderly
交通事故が
koutsuu jiko ga
traffic accidents
増えているなって
fuete iruna tte
are having more and more
感じるよ。
kannjiru yo.
(it) seems
運転免許証を
unntenn'mennkyoshou wo
(their) driving licenses
返納する
hennnou suru
are handing in
高齢者が
koureisha ga
numbers of the elderly
増えているんだよ。
fuete irunn dayo.
increasing
判断力が
hanndannryoku ga
(your) decision-making ability
衰えるし、
otoroeru shi,
impairs
アクセルを
akuseru wo
(the) accelerator
ブレーキ
bure-ki
(the) break
間違える
machigaeru
mistaking
人は
hito ha
do things (like)
多いからね。
ooi kara ne.
many
運転免許証
unntenn'mennkyoshou
(those holding a) driver’s license
年齢制限は
nennrei seigenn ha
(an) age limit
免許を
mennkyo wo
(your) license
とれるのは
toreru noha
(you) might obtain
18歳
jyuuhassai
aged eighteen
有効期限は
yuukou kigenn ha
(it) is valid for
危ないね。
abunai ne.
dangerous
免許を
mennkyo wo
[the license]
更新する
koushinn suru
(you) renew it
講習を
koushuu wo
(a) short course
受けるよね?
ukeru yone
(you have to) take, don’t you?
高齢者には
koureisha niha
elderly people
認知症
ninnchishou
(a) dementia
に関する
ni kannsuru
to take <regarding>
「認知症のおそれがある」
ninnchishou no osore gaaru
(they) are exhibiting symptoms
って言われ
tte iware
(they)’ve been told
運転をやめない
unntenn wo yamenai
continue driving
お年寄り
otoshiyori
the elderly
なくならないんだね。
nakunaranainndane.
aren’t going down
年齢制限
nennrei'seigenn
to impose (an) age limit
できないの?
dekinai no
isn’t it possible ?
走っているから
hashitteirukara
run
地方
chihou
(the) countryside
生活できないからね。
seikatsu dekinai karane.
(it) is hard to get around
何かいい方法があるといいのに。
nanika iihouhou ga aruto iinoni.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone came up with a solution?
アクセルを
akuseru wo
(the) accelerator
踏むと
fumuto
(the driver) steps on if
自動的に
jidouteki ni
automatically
ブレーキがかかる
bure-kiga kakaru
(that) makes the break (function)
開発されたよ。
kaihatsu sareta yo.
was developed
ほとんどの車に
hotonndo no kuruma ni
most cars
取り付けられるみたい。
toritsukerareru mitai.
(it) can be fitted to
それから、
sorekara,
in addition
返納する人に
hennnou suru hito ni]]
those to
タクシー
takusi-
(that take) taxis
割引になる
waribiki ni naru
offer discounts
自治体も
jichitai mo
some municipalities
近い将来、
chikai shourai,
in the near future
自動運転車が
jidou unntennsha ga
automatic cars
できる
dekiru
will be an option
心配ないかもね!
shinnpai nai kamone
you don’t have to worry
大きな事故が
ookina jiko ga
(a) huge accident
起こらない
okoranai
won’t happen