Did you know that Shiga Prefecture has Japan’s lowest rate of people buckling up in the back seat? According to a nationwide survey conducted jointly by Japan’s prefectural police and the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) in Oct. 2007, only 7 people out of 600 wore a seat belt while sitting in the back seat of a car in Shiga.  That’s only 1.2%.

This low figure shocked the Shiga Prefectural Police Department, especially when the new law would soon take effect requiring even back-seat passengers to buckle up. People in the front seat have always had to buckle up by law, but from June 1, 2008, the new law requires back-seat passengers to also fasten their seat belts. This applies to passengers in taxis as well.

Tour bus guides can no longer stand up and face their passengers while riding in a bus. They also have to sit and buckle up while the bus is moving.

So don’t forget to buckle up when in the back seat. Also, no smoking in taxis (another new law which has taken effect).