Skip to main content

Emergency driver

In Japan a firefighter has been dismissed, having driven fire engines and other emergency vehicles without a license. The man had been working as a firefighter for over 20 years in Takaoka City before a routine check uncovered the fact that he had no license. At first the man tried to pass off his father's driving license as his own, but when he seemed reluctant to show it to his superiors they insisted on examining it more closely and it was quickly realised that the photograph was of his father. Although
July 30, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In Japan a firefighter has been dismissed, having driven fire engines and other emergency vehicles without a license. The man had been working as a firefighter for over 20 years in Takaoka City before a routine check uncovered the fact that he had no license. At first the man tried to pass off his father's driving license as his own, but when he seemed reluctant to show it to his superiors they insisted on examining it more closely and it was quickly realised that the photograph was of his father. Although the man had gone to a driving school he had failed a written test, but this did not dissuade him from pursuing a career as a firefighter and he drove emergency vehicles over 400 times. The Takaoka Fire Department has apologised to locals and has tried to cover its loss of face by pointing out that the man did not cause any traffic accidents.

Related Content

  • IAM and Brake comment on increased UK road crashes
    September 24, 2015
    Both the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and road safety charity Brake have expressed serious concern over official figures showing increased road deaths in the UK. The Department of Transport’s Reported Road Casualties Great Britain: 2014 Annual Report says there were 1,775 reported road deaths in 2014, an increase of 4% compared with 2013. The IAM has called for a raft of measures to reverse the disappointing increase in numbers of people killed and injured on UK roads. It added the number of people
  • Switzerland’s new tunnel bore being built
    April 19, 2018
    A major new road tunnel project is being constructed in Switzerland – Mike Woof writes Construction work is now underway in Switzerland for the new Belchen Tunnel bore, a project that has resulted from the country’s long-term infrastructure planning. The building of this latest tunnel is important for Switzerland economically as it will deliver an upgraded link for a major transport infrastructure connection. When it is complete, the tunnel will form part of the vital A2 route between Basel, in the north
  • Contraflow with Mike Woof
    August 2, 2012
    ‘Before I get down to this month’s main agenda, I’d like to draw your attention to a range of improvements that we’ve made to the content of World Highways. In conjunction with a fresher look, we have introduced features both long and short: At the ‘long’ end of the scale in our World Report…this month the subject is Australian roads…and at the ‘short’ end of the scale is the five-minute interview with an industry personality. Our equipment features have been beefed up with more analysis, and the signpostin
  • Student invents hologram road signs that ‘pulse’ at drivers
    June 5, 2013
    A British student hopes his new hologram road signs which ‘pulse’ at drivers will lead to a revolution in the way motorists are given information on the roads. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) undergraduate Charles Gale has already obtained a patent for his design and is set to meet with transport officials to discuss how it could be used across the UK.