Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatWhat does 安全地帯 (anzen chitai) mean? Safety zones in Japan
Updated: 2026-10
安全地帯 (あんぜんちたい, anzen chitai) means a safety zone: an island-like structure on the road, or a part of the road shown by a sign and markings, that protects people getting on or off streetcars and pedestrians crossing the road (Road Traffic Act (道路交通法), Article 2, paragraph 1, item 6). Vehicles may not enter it, must slow down when passing one with pedestrians on it, and may not stop or park on its left side or within 10 meters before and after it.
Legal definition and what it looks like
The Act defines a safety zone as "an island-like facility placed on the road for the safety of persons getting on or off streetcars or pedestrians crossing, or a part of the road shown to be a safety zone by road signs and road markings".
There are two forms: (1) a raised island with curbs (common at streetcar stops); (2) an area shown by both a 「安全地帯」 sign (white symbol on blue) and a road marking (yellow outer frame, white inner frame). In both cases vehicles may not enter.
Spelling and reading: 安全地帯 (あんぜんちたい / anzen chitai).
Four rules about safety zones
Each rule carries a different level of duty, so keep them apart.
| Situation | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the safety zone | Vehicles may not enter (whether or not people are there) | Article 17(6) |
| Passing a safety zone with pedestrians on it | Slow down (no full stop required) | Article 71(iii) |
| Left side of the safety zone and before/after it | No stopping or parking within 10 m | Article 44(1)(iv) |
| Catching up with a streetcar stopped for passengers | If there is a safety zone, you may pass at jokō | Article 31 |
Safety zones and streetcars
When a streetcar is stopped at a stop, as a rule you stop behind it and wait until no one is getting on, off or crossing. However, if there is a safety zone, or if nobody is getting on or off and you can keep 1.5 meters or more from the streetcar, you may pass on its left at jokō (Article 31).
The logic: with a safety zone, passengers stand on the island, so slow passing is allowed. Without one, if people are getting on or off, you must stop even if 1.5 meters is available.
Test traps
Example 1: "When passing a safety zone with pedestrians on it, you must stop" → False. The duty is to slow down.
Example 2: "No stopping or parking on the left side of a safety zone and within 10 m before and after it" → True. It is the left side, and 10 m (not 5 m).
Example 3: "If nobody is on it, you may drive through a safety zone" → False. You may never enter it.
Practice the different duties in your language
Since October 2025 the knowledge test has 50 True/False questions in 30 minutes; you need 45 correct. Safety zones are tested on three points: no entry, slow down, 10 m. menkyopass lets you practice with English explanations (the first mock test and three topics are free).
Practice questions using this term
- When passing a safety zone with pedestrians in it, you must come to a complete stop.
- When a stopped streetcar has no one getting on or off, there is no safety zone, and you can keep a gap of at least 1.5 meters from the streetcar, you may proceed at a slow speed.
- You must not stop or park on the left side of a safety zone or within 10 meters before and after it.
FAQ
Q. May I drive through an empty safety zone?
A. No. Entering a safety zone is banned whether or not pedestrians are there.
Q. How far is no stopping or parking around a safety zone?
A. On its left side and within 10 m before and after it. The same 10 m as railroad crossings and bus stops.
Q. Do I slow down when passing an empty safety zone?
A. The Article 71 duty to slow down applies when pedestrians are on the zone. Without pedestrians that specific duty does not apply, but you still drive with care.