Illustration: Brightside

It’s common courtesy in many places to stand on the left side of the escalator and leave the right side open for those who wish to walk. However, in recent years, there have been incidents of people rushing, pushing, and even running up and down escalators…

As a result, some locations have implemented a stand-still policy on escalators. In October 2021, Saitama Prefecture became the first place in Japan to enforce this rule, followed by Nagoya City, and it has since spread nationwide.

Hitachi Building Systems, an escalator manufacturer and maintenance company based in Tokyo, provided insights into why walking on escalators can be dangerous.

Firstly, escalators are not designed for walking. Moving on a moving surface can be hazardous, and the height difference between escalator steps and regular stairs can easily cause trips or missteps.

Japanese train station with signs instructing passengers to stand still on escalators. Image: Mainichi

According to Brightside, another reason is that if people stand on both the left and right sides, the escalator can accommodate more passengers. Additionally, walking on escalators increases the risk of injuries or causing others to fall.

Standing still on escalators also encourages a moment of relaxation. Our fast-paced lives often cause us to forget the importance of slowing down and taking a breather.

Source: PNVN

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