In 2006, Fukuoka was devastated by the news of an accident in Higashi-ku involving the death of three young children, due to drink driving. The incident involved a young City Hall employee who was driving after drinking, and hit the car of a family– killing all three children but leaving the parents alive. Six years later, Miyako Yamamoto, another Fukuoka mother who lost her teenage son in similar circumstances, is taking action to raise awareness about drinking and driving. Mrs. Yamamoto’s sixteen-year old son and his friend were killed in Dec. 2011 when a drunk driver hit their car. Mrs Yamamoto has designed an anti-drink driving logo that is currently featured on vending machines across the city. To date, 22 vending machines and garbage bins have been installed featuring Mrs. Yamamoto’s design, with the phrase “ STOP! Drinking & Driving” – the latest in front of Fukuoka City Hall. Six years have passed since the tragedy, and Fukuoka City is still working to raise awareness and decrease incidents of drink driving. Source: http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/319644 / Nishinippon Shimbun 8/21, p. 29
