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| The Long-awaited Driver's License |
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A final evaluation of Noriko's driving skills was conducted on February 27, 1982, at Kumamoto Prefectural Police Headquarters' Driver Test Center. The evaluation's main purpose was to check her skills in the performance of basic vehicle operations, to drive in mixed traffic, and comply with regulations.
The Kumamoto Prefectural Police wished to determine on the training subjects and hours based on their evaluation of Noriko's skills. The final evaluation was attended by officials from the National Police Agency's Driver Licensing Section and examiners from the Driver Test Center at Kumamoto Police Headquarters. The project members and associated personnel from Honda were also present. A temporary test course was set up on the day of the evaluation in order to simulate conditions that would confirm, among others things, Noriko's driving skills on city streets surrounded by cars, along with her maneuvering abilities in the event that a pedestrian should suddenly dart in front of the car. Noriko not only demonstrated the success of the training she had received from Tokawa but also impressed everyone with her upbeat attitude. A sense of support for Noriko grew among the officers evaluating her skills that day. A test of Honda's Franz System car was held on March 12 at Traffic Education Center Rainbow in Okegawa, before officials from the Tokyo Land Transportation Bureau, who were to review the modification for approval. Three days later road tests were carried out by technical examiners from the Metropolitan Police Department using public roads in greater Tokyo, along with sections of the Tokyo and Tokyo-Nagoya expressways. Then, on April 19, based on the test results, the Franz-equipped Civic received its modification approval from the Tokyo Land Transportation Bureau. Honda subsequently requested the approval of vehicle modification from the Kumamoto Land Transportation Bureau on May 30. By the end of the month, Honda's first Franz System car produced in Japan had been registered. The car's license number "1982" represented the memorable year in which the efforts of everyone involved in the project had come to fruition. On June 22, the National Police Agency submitted to the morning meeting of the Cabinet a proposal revising portions of the Enforcement Order under the Road Traffic Act. The revised regulation was promulgated on June 25 and went into effect July 7. The document issued in June 1982 by the Driver Licensing Section of the National Police Agency's Bureau of Traffic entitled, "Revision of Article 33 of the Enforcement Order Under the Road Traffic Act with the Development of Automobiles Operated by the Lower Limbs" included the following statement: "We have conducted repeated reviews of the current conditions of disqualification for driver's license applications, considering the recent development of automobiles that can be operated using the lower limbs. As a result, we have revised Article 33 of the Enforcement Order under the Road Traffic Act. ... persons who have lost the use of both upper extremities and thus been denied drivers' licenses under the old regulation can now drive automobiles, if such persons are free of certain impairments in the lower limbs...." Noriko passed the temporary license test on July 9 on just her first try. Then, on July 16, she passed the final test. Recalling the good news, Yoshimura described how he felt that day: "Noriko had undoubtedly worked harder than anyone else involved in the project. The result reflected her enthusiasm and her determination to change the social trend. For that alone, she is a pioneer. We also were supported by the positive attitude of government authorities and the passion of the people involved at Honda. It was an example of success, in which everyone worked to achieve this wonderful result." Honda received a commendation from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in May 1983, honoring its achievement in the development, manufacturing, and supply of automobiles for physically challenged persons (lacking the use of both upper extremities). Honda's Franz System car, developed through the determined efforts of so many people, continues to be produced today. |
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