#Japan #Yoshikawa #aidrive、交通安全教育、自由研究パック

Nurturing the Power to Protect Lives through Traffic Safety Programs

As part of its initiative to reduce traffic accidents and enhance driving skills, the company Viva la vida, based in Saitama Prefecture, has launched an innovative program called the "Freedom Research Pack" at its driving and traffic safety educational facility, aidrive, located in Aeon Town Yoshikawa Minami. The program, available exclusively during the summer break, aims to blend learning with hands-on experiences for children.

The Importance of Experience in Education

Recent statistics from the Cabinet Office and the National Police Agency have shown a worrying increase in traffic accidents involving elementary and middle school students during the summer vacation period. The 2025 Traffic Safety White Paper indicates that between 2020 and 2024, there were 1,830 instances of elementary school students either being fatally injured or severely harmed while walking. Alarmingly, 33.5% of these incidents occurred because the students unexpectedly darted into traffic.

At aidrive, we have closely examined why these children tend to "dash out" into the street. The startling realization is that many children still lack the ability to "imagine" potential dangers.

While schools actively incorporate traffic safety education through various methods, including video instruction and experiences aimed at understanding real accidents, we believe an additional element is crucial: creating opportunities for children to gain firsthand experience through driving, thereby sharpening their imaginative capabilities. Learning about the "what-ifs" of driving isn't limited to driving schools; it is a vital skill that should be developed from a young age, especially when walking or cycling.

Our programs cultivate a sense of personal safety and awareness in young participants. Through driving experiences, children learn about the many aspects of being behind the wheel: the complexity of decision-making while driving, the sudden stops a car is unable to make, and the importance of adhering to traffic rules.

Overview of the Summer-Only 'Freedom Research Pack'

The "Freedom Research Pack" aims to:

• - Educate children on the intricacies of driving and the significance of following traffic rules.
• - Develop their predictive skills and imagination regarding road safety.
• - Instill respect for drivers while allowing children to recognize their personal growth.
• - Allow siblings and parents to participate for free, fostering a family-oriented approach to learning about traffic safety alongside driving skill improvement.
• - Include special work sheets for further engagement.

Key Programs in the Freedom Research Pack:

1. Emergency Brake Experiment (5,000 yen for 1 hour)
- Participants can experience differences in stopping distances under various conditions (clear, rainy, snowy) while testing ABS and vehicles of different capacities. They will document and analyze results for their research projects.

2. Driving Skills & Reflex Improvement Experiment (10,000 yen per hour for two days)
- Using state-of-the-art simulators, children can quantify their driving operations and reflexes. After several training sessions, they assess their progress and compile findings for their research projects.

Application Process

• - Closed for registration: acceptances will cease once capacity is reached.
• - Reservation Deadline: September 7, 2025.
• - Eligible Participants: Elementary and middle school students along with their families are welcome.

About aidrive

Opened in April 2025 at Aeon Town Yoshikawa Minami in Yoshikawa City, aidrive operates under the guiding principle of maintaining and improving driving skills while decreasing the number of injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents. Uniquely catering to all age groups, it offers specialized training designed for novice drivers, senior citizens reassessing their driving capabilities, and families wanting to foster safe driving habits.

Key Features of aidrive:

• - Access to advanced driving simulators and real vehicle driving training.
• - Detailed analysis and one-on-one guidance from professional drivers to address individual challenges effectively.
• - Opportunities for non-licensed individuals, including children, to gain a realistic driving experience.
• - Support for those who have obtained licenses to overcome challenges as paper drivers.
• - Regular cognitive training and driving practice for those considering license surrender.
• - Collaboration opportunities with local events and corporate safety training programs.

Visit Us or Contact for Inquiries

Educational and media professionals are welcome to visit aidrive for interviews, photography, or facility tours (private bookings available).

Contact Information:

• - aidrive Aeon Town Yoshikawa Minami Store
• - Contact Person: Koyama
• - Email: [email protected]
• - Phone: 048-973-7810
• - Website: aidrive

In summary, aidrive aspires to revolutionize traffic safety education and aims for nationwide expansion to foster a generation that understands and prioritizes road safety.