"It Takes 2 Hours to Get to the Hospital"... Japanese Sign Startles Bike Riders

Motorcycle Speed Warning Signs in Japan Gain Attention
Obey Speed Limits and Slow Down Before Curves
"It Takes 2 Hours to Reach the Hospital if Injured"
"Stronger Warning Like Shark Sightings Instead of Swimming Ban" Praised

A sign warning about motorcycle speeding on a mountain road in Japan. The phrase "It takes 2 hours to get to the hospital if injured" (blue circle) is striking. [SNS capture]

A custom signboard tailored for motorcyclists has appeared on a mountain road in Japan, attracting attention.

On the 18th, Japan's 'Thrill News' reported that a signboard posted by a netizen on X (formerly Twitter) has received numerous comments and likes. The post introduced a signboard located on a mountain road in the Okutama area, a famous hiking course and tourist spot in Tokyo Metropolis. Since it was posted on the 4th, it has gone viral, currently garnering 1.52 million views and over 200 comments. The signboard urging safe driving notes that this area is prone to motorcycle accidents, advising riders to ▲ obey the speed limit (40 km/h) and ▲ slow down in advance on curves, especially mentioning that it takes two hours to reach a hospital if injured.

Netizens commented that the phrase "it takes two hours to reach a hospital" carries a strong impact, saying, "This place has poor accessibility and it takes considerable time for an ambulance to arrive." One netizen evaluated, "When they judged that telling people to slow down was ineffective, they meant to protect lives by stating that it takes two hours to get to a hospital if injured." Another netizen said, "It's like how shark warning signs are more effective than swimming bans." A netizen whose colleague had an accident said, "It took more than an hour for the ambulance to arrive," adding, "Speeding is really dangerous."