Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism notifies taxi and bus industry to ensure safety following Chiba heavy rains

In response to the heavy rains that hit Chiba Prefecture from the evening of the 13th to the early hours of the 14th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued a notice to the taxi/hire industry and bus industry nationwide to ensure safety in the event of abnormal weather. The notification was dated the 14th.

During the Chiba heavy rains, a taxi submerged in water in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, and a 66-year-old woman riding in the back seat was trapped and died.

The notice asked operators of taxis and buses to instruct drivers to avoid driving in dangerous areas during abnormal weather; to collect information from flood hazard maps; to collect information from the Internet, television, and road traffic information centers; and to take measures that prioritize passenger safety, including canceling operations, if a disaster warning has been issued.

It also asked drivers to avoid underpasses and roads along rivers during abnormal weather, not to enter roads where the depth of water is unknown, and to prioritize safety by canceling the operation if it is deemed dangerous and promptly evacuating passengers.