Nagoya Prohibits Escalator Walking
A new ordinance went into effect last week in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, which prohibits people from walking on escalators. This ordinance requires people to stand still when riding escalators in public places such as train stations and shopping centers. Like the bicycle helmet law, there are no penalties for people who violate the new city ordinance. The Nagoya City government has been putting up posters about the new ordinance at train stations and running TV commercials to make people aware of the ordiance.
In recent times, there have been many incidents of walking people losing their balance and knocking down others, in addition to accidents when the moving person bumps into luggage or hooks handbags of those standing still. It is also very dangerous for the elderly or the mobility impaired who are standing.
Saitama Prefecture introduced a similar ordinance two years ago, but it was not successful.
I rarely walk on the escalator because I don't want to cause a problem, and because I am never in a hurry. Are you a walker or a stander on the escalator?
6 comments:
I'm a stander! I wish everyone else was too, because his rule makes sense.
Pamela: I think this is a great idea, I have seen too many people push past people on the escalators and bumping into other people and almost causing them to fall.
Catherine
That's a good thing. I hate it when I see that happen.
I try to use the stairs for my health, but I am always tempted by the escalator.
When I use the escalator, I don't move.
I think if you follow the rules, accidents will definitely decrease, so I hope it spreads beyond Nagoya.
Great new rule, I am a stander, I stand on the left as I was taught to do, but often people come fast walking up the left side too and I have to swap sides.
I am 90% stander, unless I am really in a hurry and/or the escalator is pretty much empty. Japanese people seem to like following the rules, but this is one I am not sure they will, everyone always seemed in a hurry when we were visiting!
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