Japanese driving students given alcohol to learn dangers of intoxication

Japanese authorities are now encouraging drivers to drink before taking the wheel, but only while learning to drive.

The unusual approach has been taken to teach the ill effects of alcohol to “overconfident” motorists and to discourage them from driving under the influence.

Japan has been known to have a zero-tolerance policy for those driving after consuming alcohol. It usually fetches strict punishment and hefty fines.

The National Police Agency in Tokyo said that those who consume alcohol before driving and do not get into an accident are bound to repeat it, The Guardian reported.

If the driver is intoxicated with alcohol, the possibility of a fatal accident increases sevenfold, Japanese police officials added.

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Traffic enforcement official Yoichi Furukawa urged drivers to “properly manage the risks before drinking, such as not driving to the pub in the first place.” Furukawa added that drunk drivers are usually unable to make normal judgements.