[JAF Ibaraki] Participates in Roadside Station Kasama's "Spring Traffic Safety Campaign," advocating for all-seat seatbelt use through a simulated collision experience

The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) Ibaraki Branch (Branch Manager Shiro Hataya) will participate in the "Spring Traffic Safety Campaign" organized by Kasama City at Roadside Station Kasama (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture) from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM on Monday, April 6, 2026. This event will be held in conjunction with the "National Spring Traffic Safety Campaign," which runs from Monday, April 6, 2026, to Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The aim is to raise traffic safety awareness among a wide range of age groups at the roadside station, which attracts many visitors from both within and outside the prefecture. On the day of the event, JAF will exhibit a "Seatbelt Convincer," allowing participants to learn about the effectiveness of seatbelts through a simulated collision experience at 5 km/h, and will widely advocate for the importance of seatbelt use in all seats. Spring is a time when more people experience changes in their traffic environment due to the start of new lives, such as entering school, advancing to higher education, or starting new jobs. According to data from the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters (Reiwa 6 / 2024), the number of traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities tends to increase from April to May. Therefore, JAF is taking this opportunity to call for voluntary seatbelt use in all seats. Overview of the Spring Traffic Safety Campaign: ■ Implementation Period: 10 days, from Monday, April 6, 2026, to Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (Day to Aim for Zero Traffic Fatalities: Friday, April 10, 2026). ■ Key Focus Areas of the Campaign: 1. Ensuring the safety of pedestrians, especially children, on school routes and residential roads. 2. Eradicating "distracted driving" (using smartphones while driving) and improving safe driving awareness, such as prioritizing pedestrians. 3. Thorough understanding and observance of traffic rules for bicycles and specified small motorized bicycles.