Japanese traffic signals and other driving fun

[matsuki]

I'll keep this shit updated....also, waiting to talk to my biggest customer here. I know he's disputed more than a few tickets so probably the best source of first hand info I have.

Sorta on topic but do the patrol cars have cameras on them? In my case, the car was facing the opposite direction as me and I think they would have mentioned video (even bluffed) if they were equipped with it.

[Russell]

One argument they use against video cameras during normal police interrogations is cost, so I assume that the same argument holds for leaving those out from patrol cars?

[Coligny]

One argument they use against video cameras during normal police interrogations is cost, so I assume that the same argument holds for leaving those out from patrol cars?

Sure, on a Totoya crown police car, the most expensive part would be the 9000 yens loop recording cam.

Meanwhile took the highway yesterday for a dystopian road trip... Speed limit of 40kph on 3 lanes in a near empty highway... How am I supposed to follow illegal speed limits ? Settled for 50 instead...
I'm sure the add on black side mirrors like on police cars (well... And driving school cars) as well as the yellow beacon on the roof shielded me from some road rage... Well at least outside of the car... Inside it was more tense... Closed the argument with the standard "fix your laws and come back to me"...

[Russell]

One argument they use against video cameras during normal police interrogations is cost, so I assume that the same argument holds for leaving those out from patrol cars?

Sure, on a Totoya crown police car, the most expensive part would be the 9000 yens loop recording cam.

Meanwhile took the highway yesterday for a dystopian road trip... Speed limit of 40kph on 3 lanes in a near empty highway... How am I supposed to follow illegal speed limits ? Settled for 50 instead...
I'm sure the add on black side mirrors like on police cars (well... And driving school cars) as well as the yellow beacon on the roof shielded me from some road rage... Well at least outside of the car... Inside it was more tense... Closed the argument with the standard "fix your laws and come back to me"...

40 km/h on a highway?!?

I thought Kobe was ridiculous with speed limits of 60 km/h on many highways.

Anyway, speeding 20 km/h over the limit on highways gives a 0% chance of getting fined. Even 30 km/h is probably fine, but with bad luck you may get napped. Above 40 km/h over the speed limit it will become risky in terms of fines. And the fines are high too in that case. I seem to remember that you will loose your driver license above 50 km/h speeding. Remember, this holds for highways. Go on local roads and you can be fined for speeding more than 5 km/h if you are unlucky.

My Missus also used to be quite anally retentive on speed limits, but since I habitually speed over 20 km/h on highways, she got used to it (kind of). Above that all bets are off...

[matsuki]

40 km/h on a highway?!?

I thought Kobe was ridiculous with speed limits of 60 km/h on many highways.

Anyway, speeding 20 km/h over the limit on highways gives a 0% chance of getting fined. Even 30 km/h is probably fine, but with bad luck you may get napped. Above 40 km/h over the speed limit it will become risky in terms of fines. And the fines are high too in that case. I seem to remember that you will loose your driver license above 50 km/h speeding. Remember, this holds for highways. Go on local roads and you can be fined for speeding more than 5 km/h if you are unlucky.

My Missus also used to be quite anally retentive on speed limits, but since I habitually speed over 20 km/h on highways, she got used to it (kind of). Above that all bets are off...

That would drive me nuts....

[Coligny]

I usually only overspeed the delta between GPS and ground speedo (5 to 7km/h depending on the actual speed) The car HUD GPS speedo is matched to the car own speedo, while the radar/tiltmeter one is giving true ground speed. But that never last long because it triggers the HUD overspeed alarm...

[matsuki]

Did you ever finish that LED light bar?

[Coligny]

on standby...

But with the rain season coming and the actual beacon turning into a fishtank, that's going to need to be addressed soon... problem; I just have PET plastic for the windows, should be acrylic, but can't find the same 100x3cm strips...

[Russell]

on standby...

But with the rain season coming and the actual beacon turning into a fishtank, that's going to need to be addressed soon... problem; I just have PET plastic for the windows, should be acrylic, but can't find the same 100x3cm strips...

You can buy acrylic plates of all sizes and thickness on the wab. Not sure about strips, but if you need a couple of them and are willing to cut them yourselves, you can order an appropriate plate.

[Coligny]

Got some 30x18cm 3mm on amazon, but would really like to find the same 100x3 cm size like the pet i got in tokyu hands...

[Russell]

Got some 30x18cm 3mm on amazon, but would really like to find the same 100x3 cm size like the pet i got in tokyu hands...

Try this web shop: they sell clear acrylic strips of 100x3 cm of 3 mm thick for 1182 Yen (incl. tax; I didn't check sending fee). Prices for larger numbers are lower: two strips for 1810 Yen. They are a bit more expensive than other web shops for the standard sizes, but if you need a special size cut to order they are the best. I have used them once to my satisfaction.

[Coligny]

Thanks, Will try...

To fight the language barrier...

[matsuki]

So I got the detailed explanation of what goes down if you contest a traffic ticket from a J-dude who has done this 3 times successfully...

So for whatever (hopefully valid) reason you've refused to sign the ticket despite the cops insistence you're in the wrong. (signing the ticket is basically written admission of your guilt of the violations detailed on it) Like in my case, they may also try to get you to sign some sort of explanation of why you're not in the wrong...which will also contain wording that basically admits guilt. (in other words, no matter how valid your argument is, don't sign this shit as it will be your doom, this is the oh-so-famous WRITTEN CONFESSION they will use to fuck you) So you've signed nothing and you you got your license back, the ticket, and a payment slip. The cops will likely try one last hail Mary and tell you "If you change your mind, you can pay the fine within a week!"

So you have signed NOTHING and paid NOTHING....what happens next is you are contacted by the police department to come in and discuss the ticket. You bring any evidence you have (pictures, video, etc) and state your case. Once again, you don't want to sign any sort of confession so no mater how kind they seem or how they word anything for you, don't sign anything. I'm not sure what happens if you don't go in for this hanashi-ai (and why would you want to take a day off of work to repeat the same shit to the police and let them try to shake you down for evidence or a signed confession?) but regardless, at the end of the day, the police need to either dismiss the ticket or pass it on to the prosecutor.

Now this would become a criminal case in court (don't ask me why?) and we all already know the prosecutors will not accept cases unless they are guaranteed to win. Well in the case of a minor traffic violation (not talking some crazy case of speeding, drunk driving, accident, or some repeat offender bullshit) it's even more of a waste of their time to even consider attempting to build such a case against you. So....without that golden ticket (your signed ticket or confession) or something like video evidence, they will indeed dismiss the case, keeping your record clean your money in your wallet.

[matsuki]

Should also add that the police office that calls you in to discuss the ticket will be your local office. So if you got a ticket for driving nude in Hokkaido but your registered address is in Osaka, you'll be asked to come in to the Osaka office. (and theoretically prosecuted or dismissed by the local office as well...even less incentive for them to go after you...UNLESS you signed the ticket or a written confession)

[Mike Oxlong]

Now that is all good to know. The written confession shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, huh.

[matsuki]

:clap: Now that is all good to know. The written confession shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, huh.

Yeah...I mean, surely nobody would sign their own confession of guilt if they felt they were innocent, right? Well it's not so straight forward....

Before I pointed out that I had pointed one of my drive recorder cameras at them since the beginning, they were insisting it was required of me sign this other form (I don't remember what they called it - the official name that is) because I was disputing the ticket. I even reconfirmed that it was absolutely required and they said yes....but when they came back with it, written in hiragana and all, and started reading it off to me, I immediately recognized what they were doing. (Take it from an FG who had this shit used against him before) Same with any police questioning here, they pose it as your statement of innocence/your side of the story...then ask you to sign. Makes sense that they would ask to take your "statement" and if you feel wrongly accused, most people will be upset and want to proclaim their innocence to the authorities and assume this is necessary. Well it's written by the police, and regardless of what your story/reasoning/excuse/etc. is, it'll ultimately end up as you written "confession" to the accusation with your explanation as meaningless commentary. There is no requirement or benefit for you to sign anything. (So don't do eeeeet!)

For example, my customer ran through a stop sign in Tochigi last year. A nearby tree had grown a branch in front of it, hiding it from view....and there were no other markings indicating one must stop. The way the cops worded his "statement" was "I, Kenji Hentai, at 11:30pm on April 20th, 2013, was given a ticket for failing to stop at 32D oppai lane of lemurville while travelling south on the happy highway. I failed to stop because I didn't see the stop stop sign. The stop sign was obstructed by a tree branch and I think the sign needs to be made more visible and stop should be written on the street surface. Sounds like a legit statement of innocence because it shows you did nothing intentional and claim the situation was beyond your control....any reasonable person can relate to that situation and of course the cops will try to sweeten you up and sound understanding BUT regardless of any sound reasoning you may express, the only thing the cops/courts care about is the black and white admission of guilt. (remember, these tickets are revenue for them) My customer told the cops to fuck off but had he signed that "statement" it would have been the only reason a prosecutor would accept/win the case against him. I'm sure there would be some consolatory teeth sucking and promise to look into the situation with the sign being obstructed but the ticket would stand and he would be fucked.

[Russell]

OK, very interesting.

But now you have to come in on some day chosen at their convenience.

If you have the time, that is perfect. If not, then you will likely get problems.

[Coligny]

Yesterday's update of google maps (v3) on ios now give lanes directions indications,mplus a lot more turn by turn improvment.

BUT still no fucking way to give custom titles to dropped pins...

[Russell]

Yesterday's update of google maps (v3) on ios now give lanes directions indications,mplus a lot more turn by turn improvment.

BUT still no fucking way to give custom titles to dropped pins...

I reverted back to classic Google Maps a couple of days back.

The new maps were a royal pain in the ass. Are people paid to think up this kind of shit?!?

[matsuki]

OK, very interesting.

But now you have to come in on some day chosen at their convenience.

If you have the time, that is perfect. If not, then you will likely get problems.

Not so sure about that. Trying to find out how "required" the follow up hanashi-ai really is. My guy said it's a waste of time...you're speaking to cops that weren't there and are likely from a different area...and basically just confirming you are disputing the allegations on the ticket. Assuming the cops simply pass your ticket on to the prosecutor regardless of what you have to say (which appears to be SOP) and the case is likely to be dismissed by the prosecutor, there may not be any reason to go.

This is also worth noting: http://www.japantoday.com/category/kuch ... ffic-fines

[Coligny]

Yesterday's update of google maps (v3) on ios now give lanes directions indications,mplus a lot more turn by turn improvment.

BUT still no fucking way to give custom titles to dropped pins...

I reverted back to classic Google Maps a couple of days back.

The new maps were a royal pain in the ass. Are people paid to think up this kind of shit?!?

SAME HERE...

When I was planning my highway trip (to a Mucha exhibit in Bumfuck Mie)... I first used the new goggle maps... Then when printing the trip instruction, could not find the usual sub-map/event(turn) option so usefull for the complicamated IC exchange.
Switched back to classic...
Google is going down the shitter Microsoft style... Every new update remove functionality and add a layer of shit that is not even shiny...

(did you get you IOS thing to play music in the background ?)

[legion]

guess you have to decide how much your time is worth, the cops are being paid while they fine you, you will be contesting it on your own time

[Russell]

The cost of the fine is not the fine itself, but the increased insurance fee due to your gold license turning in a blue of 5 years or 3 years. Actually the 3-year blue license is better than the 5-year one, because then you only need to pay increased insurance fees for 3 years (assuming you won't have additional fines in this 3-year period).

[Coligny]

guess you have to decide how much your time is worth, the cops are being paid while they fine you, you will be contesting it on your own time

everyone needs a hobby I guess...

[Russell]

did you get you IOS thing to play music in the background ?

I did not try it.

But I do remember that I was trying to play a Youtube music video in one tab of the Browser while reading the contents of another tab.

That seemed not possible, but maybe there is a setting. It all reminds me of the Macs of the 90's that could not do multi-processing.

[Coligny]

did you get you IOS thing to play music in the background ?

I did not try it.

But I do remember that I was trying to play a Youtube music video in one tab of the Browser while reading the contents of another tab.

That seemed not possible, but maybe there is a setting. It all reminds me of the Macs of the 90's that could not do multi-processing TASKING.

Windows 95 was only doing a processor timeshare between tasks... NT4 on multiproc system was closer to that...

[matsuki]

guess you have to decide how much your time is worth, the cops are being paid while they fine you, you will be contesting it on your own time

Well besides the time I spent educating myself on this (well spent IMO) the only possible time to contest the ticket will be this hanashi-ai with the local traffic police...and that's if it's even necessary.

The cost of the fine is not the fine itself, but the increased insurance fee due to your gold license turning in a blue of 5 years or 3 years. Actually the 3-year blue license is better than the 5-year one, because then you only need to pay increased insurance fees for 3 years (assuming you won't have additional fines in this 3-year period).

Yep....and those points\notes on your record are there for good from what I've read. Even though the points may not count against you in the future (if enough time has passed) they have all these weird formulas where they can be used against you as well as referenced if they want to make a "repeat offender" case against you. Anyone can have a bad day/week/month/year so best to take any opportunity you can to keep your nose clean. (yeah, I just said that with a straight face)

[matsuki]

did you get you IOS thing to play music in the background ?

I did not try it.

But I do remember that I was trying to play a Youtube music video in one tab of the Browser while reading the contents of another tab.

That seemed not possible, but maybe there is a setting. It all reminds me of the Macs of the 90's that could not do multi-processing TASKING.

Windows 95 was only doing a processor timeshare between tasks... NT4 on multiproc system was closer to that...

Not sure why I haven't asked you this yet...but my cheapo Chinese Nav can apparently be hacked quite easily. (Windows CE based) The current Nav. software it uses is made by a company called "DataWest" and while it's not horrible, I'm sure there is better out there. Any suggestions on what I should add? (Obviously recently updated Japanese maps is a must) Garmin?

[Coligny]

Tssss... we have the best trick evah'

Insurance is on me bitch name who barely drive and have a golden member license...

(me still climbing green->blue->next should be gold)

[Wage Slave]

Ooh, that sounds interesting. I also have a cheap Windows CE based navi. Yupiteru or some such. Could that be hacked and updated? It thought I was driving through rice fields the other day and the "new" road wasn't very new looking at all.