#Japan #Iwata #Toyota Mobility #Iwata City #Senior Driving

Enhancing Senior Driver Safety in Iwata City

In a significant move to bolster road safety for older drivers, the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) has initiated a partnership with Shizuoka Prefecture's Iwata City. This collaboration, formalized through an agreement signed by key figures including Iwata City Mayor Hiroaki Kusachi and TMF Executive Director Takanori Ishikawa, aims to create a supportive environment for senior drivers, thereby ensuring they can maintain safe driving practices for longer periods.

Objectives of the Partnership

The partnership focuses on several key objectives aimed at fostering awareness and improving driving skills among older residents. The primary goals include:

• - Raising Awareness: Initiatives designed to elevate the importance of safe driving among senior citizens.
• - Self-Reflection: Providing opportunities for seniors to reflect on their driving behavior by visualizing their driving patterns and habits.
• - Skill Improvement: Activities to help enhance and sustain their driving skills.

Planned Activities for Fiscal Year 2025

The agreement outlines specific activities for the upcoming fiscal year aimed at achieving these objectives:

1. Traffic Safety Awareness Campaigns: Utilizing various tools from participating companies, community gatherings will be organized to assess physical and cognitive abilities related to driving. Tools to be offered include the 'Ikiki Brain Exercise,' a collaborative development by Tohoku University and Sendai Broadcasting, and the 'Voice Biomarkers,' co-developed by Mazda and Tokyo University.

2. Use of the AD Telematics Tag: Participants will have an AD Telematics Tag installed in their vehicles. This device monitors behaviors such as hard braking and speeding during drives, providing personalized feedback through the 'Visual Drive' smartphone app. This will empower seniors by giving them valuable insights into their driving habits.

Through data analysis, solutions such as traffic safety maps highlighting hazardous areas will be developed, and community tea gatherings will be held to promote safety awareness within the region.

The Broader Impact

This initiative is part of TMF’s broader mission since its establishment in August 2014, which emphasizes contributing to a richer society through mobility. By addressing mobility challenges globally, TMF strives to foster various projects that enhance public safety while also addressing stakeholder needs, including customers, business partners, and the community.

Supporting Connections

The 'Tateshina Conference,' from which this partnership springs, serves as an annual gathering where top officials from the automotive industry convene to discuss safety matters, especially concerning senior drivers. This year marks the establishment of five committees focused on practical and actionable safety initiatives.

In addition to Iwata City, cooperation with Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture and Mizi City in Hiroshima is also anticipated to spur the nationwide adoption of successful safety measures for senior drivers.

In conclusion, the collaboration between TMF and Iwata City represents a promising step towards ensuring the safety of older drivers, with a comprehensive approach that includes awareness, education, and data-driven insights. By bringing together various stakeholders, this initiative not only aims to protect senior drivers but also aspires to cultivate a community-wide culture of safety on the roads.

Through such efforts, TMF reaffirms its commitment to creating enriching, safe, and accessible mobility solutions for all generations.