The Sad Accident of an Automotive Journalist

Before going to the Hakone Turnpike recently, I was researching the weather and conditions online and came across this article.

→Repeated “reckless driving” reports by automotive journalists… The issue of “Porsche fatal accident” and media dependence on manufacturers

In April 2016, Yasuyuki Morino, a well-known automotive journalist and Porsche enthusiast, was test-driving a Porsche 911 GT3 on the Hakone Turnpike when he failed to make a curve and crashed into a tree on the opposite lane. The car was severely damaged, and although Morino was taken to the hospital, he passed away.

The curve at the scene was gentle and not known as a dangerous spot. According to witnesses, “Many people were driving slowly to enjoy the cherry blossoms at this time of year, and I myself was driving around 40 km/h, but the Porsche sped past at a furious pace.” The 911 GT3’s top speed is 310 km/h, and it’s believed that at the time of the accident, it was going over 200 km/h.

Morino was a “car professional” who had served as a judge for the Japan Car of the Year and had written many articles emphasizing Porsche’s safety features, such as braking power and devices to reduce injury in accidents.

Safety First

He may have been pushing the Porsche 911 GT3 to its limits for the test drive article, but if he wanted to drive that fast, he should have done it on a circuit. Perhaps there was some overconfidence in his driving skills… Ultimately, he lost his life due to reckless driving.

That said, I believe most Porsche owners drive safely, and in fact, it seems like drivers of other foreign cars often drive more recklessly (or maybe it just feels that way?). But I, too, want to always prioritize safe driving and enjoy my Porsche responsibly.