Travelers planning overseas road trips are being advised to prepare carefully for unfamiliar driving conditions, vehicle insurance requirements, and potential fatigue, following two recent traffic accidents involving Hong Kong residents in Japan.
Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, highlighted the challenges drivers face when navigating foreign roads. Unlike the short journeys typical in Hong Kong, overseas travel between airports, hotels, and tourist sites often involves longer distances and unfamiliar routes, which can increase driver distraction and fatigue. Lee emphasized that such factors could contribute to accidents abroad involving Hong Kong drivers.
The warnings come in the wake of a fatal crash on Monday in Hokkaido prefecture, where a 53-year-old Hong Kong woman died and five others were injured. The woman was the front-seat passenger in a rental car driven by her 52-year-old husband, accompanied by their two teenage daughters in the back. The vehicle veered into the opposite lane on National Route 38 in Furano and collided head-on with another car carrying two Japanese nationals around 3:30 p.m. local time. Both occupants of the second vehicle, as well as the driver and daughters of the Hong Kong family, sustained injuries.
This accident occurred on a popular tourist route connecting Takikawa, Akabira, and Furano. Earlier, on July 16, five Chinese tourists—including an off-duty Hong Kong police officer—were injured when their rental car was struck by a train at a level crossing on the JR Furano line. Those injured ranged in age from teenagers to their fifties and were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.
Lee advised drivers from Hong Kong renting vehicles in Japan to familiarize themselves with local traffic rules and signage, particularly key signs such as “stop,” which requires a full stop with the handbrake applied, as well as signs indicating one-way streets, winding roads, and toll points. Although mastering every sign is not necessary, understanding the critical ones is essential for safety. He also recommended having a licensed passenger assist with navigation and reminders while driving.
Planning was another focus of Lee's advice. Drivers should identify service areas for rest stops along long routes, verify destinations including accurate addresses and postcodes, and monitor weather conditions closely. He further stressed caution at railway level crossings and advised that if a vehicle becomes trapped on tracks, occupants should exit immediately for safety.
From an insurance perspective, Selina Lau Pui-ling, chief executive of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, urged travelers to verify that their travel insurance policies cover rental vehicle deductibles—the portion of repair costs renters must pay before insurance reimbursement. Many Hong Kong travel insurance plans include this coverage, she noted. Lau also recommended sharing a copy of the insurance policy with a trusted friend or family member who could assist with claims if necessary.
In the event of an accident, Lau stressed the importance of prioritizing personal safety, documenting vehicle damage through photographs, and contacting local police to obtain official reports, all of which support the processing of insurance claims.
These recent incidents and expert advice underscore the importance of preparation and vigilance for travelers embarking on road trips abroad, especially when navigating unfamiliar traffic environments.