People Increasingly  Handing in their Driving  Licenses

JAPANese Q&A Casual Conversation | 増える運転免許証の返納

People Increasingly Handing in their Driving Licenses

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.

トムとむ
tomu
Tom
最近さいきん
saikinn
recently
高齢者こうれいしゃ
koreisha no
(the) elderly
交通こうつう事故じこ
koutsuu jiko ga
traffic accidents
えているなって
fuete iruna tte
are having more and more
かんじるよ。
kannjiru yo.
(it) seems
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
だから
dakara
that’s why
運転うんてん免許証めんきょしょう
unntenn'mennkyoshou wo
(their) driving licenses
返納へんのうする
hennnou suru
are handing in
高齢者こうれいしゃ
koureisha ga
numbers of the elderly
えているんだよ。
fuete irunn dayo.
increasing
としをとる
toshi wo toru
aging
to
because
判断力はんだんりょく
hanndannryoku ga
(your) decision-making ability
おとろえるし、
otoroeru shi,
impairs
アクセルあくせる
akuseru wo
(the) accelerator
ブレーキぶれーき
bure-ki
(the) break
to
for
間違まちがえる
machigaeru
mistaking
ひと
hito ha
do things (like)
おおいいからね。
ooi kara ne.
many
トムとむ
tomu
Tom
運転うんてん免許証めんきょしょう
unntenn'mennkyoshou
(those holding a) driver’s license
ha
for
年齢ねんれい制限せいげん
nennrei seigenn ha
(an) age limit
ないの?
naino
isn’t there ?
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
免許めんきょ
mennkyo wo
(your) license
とれるのは
toreru noha
(you) might obtain
18歳じゅうはっさい
jyuuhassai
aged eighteen
から
kara
[from]
だけど、
dakedo,
while
有効ゆうこう期限きげん
yuukou kigenn ha
(it) is valid for
一生いっしょう
isshou.
(a) life
トムとむ
tomu
Tom
それは
soreha
it is
あぶないね。
abunai ne.
dangerous
でも、
demo,
but
免許めんきょ
mennkyo wo
[the license]
更新こうしんする
koushinn suru
(you) renew it
とき
toki
when
講習こうしゅう
koushuu wo
(a) short course
けるよね?
ukeru yone
(you have to) take, don’t you?
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
高齢者こうれいしゃには
koureisha niha
elderly people
認知症にんちしょう
ninnchishou
(a) dementia
かんする
ni kannsuru
to take <regarding>
テストてすと
tesuto mo
test
やってる
yatteru
are required
けど、
kedo
however
認知症にんちしょうのおそれがある」
ninnchishou no osore gaaru
(they) are exhibiting symptoms
ってわれ
tte iware
(they)’ve been told
ても
temo
even though
運転うんてんをやめない
unntenn wo yamenai
continue driving
ひと
hito ha
people
いるからね。
irukarane.
some
トムとむ
tomu
Tom
だから
dakara
that’s why
年寄としより
otoshiyori
the elderly
no
caused by
事故じこ
jiko ha
accidents
なくならないんだね。
nakunaranainndane.
aren’t going down
年齢ねんれい制限せいげん
nennrei'seigenn
to impose (an) age limit
できないの?
dekinai no
isn’t it possible ?
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
都会とかい
tokai
cities
ha
in
バスばす
basu
buses
とか
toka
and
電車でんしゃ
dennsha ga
trains
たくさん
takusann
frequently
はしっているから
hashitteirukara
run
いいけど、
iikedo,
but
地方ちほう
chihou
(the) countryside
では
deha
in
くるま
kuruma ga
a car
ないと
naito
without
生活せいかつできないからね。
seikatsu dekinai karane.
(it) is hard to get around
トムとむ
tomu
Tom
そうか。
souka.
I see
なにかいい方法ほうほうがあるといいのに。
nanika iihouhou ga aruto iinoni.
Wouldn’t it be great if someone came up with a solution?
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
アクセルあくせる
akuseru wo
(the) accelerator
きゅう
kyuuni
suddenly
むと
fumuto
(the driver) steps on if
自動的じどうてき
jidouteki ni
automatically
ブレーキぶれーきがかかる
bure-kiga kakaru
(that) makes the break (function)
器具きぐ
kigu ga
(a) device
開発かいはつされたよ。
kaihatsu sareta yo.
was developed
ほとんどのくるま
hotonndo no kuruma ni
most cars
簡単かんたん
kanntannni
easily
けられるみたい。
toritsukerareru mitai.
(it) can be fitted to
それから、
sorekara,
in addition
返納へんのうするひと
hennnou suru hito ni]]
those to
タクシーたくしー
takusi-
(that take) taxis
ya
and
バスばす
basu ga
buses
割引わりびきになる
waribiki ni naru
offer discounts
自治体じちたい
jichitai mo
some municipalities
あるって
arutte
that
いた。
kiita.
I’ve heard
トムとむ
tomu
Tom
ちか将来しょうらい
chikai shourai,
in the near future
自動じどう運転うんてんしゃ
jidou unntennsha ga
automatic cars
できる
dekiru
will be an option
から、
kara,
so
心配しんぱいないかもね!
shinnpai nai kamone
you don’t have to worry
美穂みほ
miho
Miho
その
sono
then
まえ
mae ni
before
おおきな事故じこ
ookina jiko ga
(a) huge accident
こらない
okoranai
won’t happen
to
that
いいけど。
iikedo.
I hope

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