One has come into force in Japan new law on road traffic which introduces prison sentences and fines for cyclists using mobile phones or driving under the influence of alcohol. People caught using their phones while cycling risk prison sentences of up to six months or fines of 100,000 yen (about 603 euros).
If they cause an accident, the punishment may come and up to one year in prison or a fine of 300,000 yen (approximately 1,811 euros). Previously, using a cell phone while cycling was punishable by fines of up to 50,000 yen (around 302 euros), according to rules established by local public safety commissions.
This new road law also toughens the penalties for driving while intoxicated, as cyclists with an alcohol level of 0.15 milligrams per liter of exhaled air risk prison sentences of up to three years or fines of 500,000 yen (approximately 3,020 euros).
The crackdown on cyclists is justified by looking at the numbers: between 2013 and 2017, 295 accidents were caused by cyclists using mobile phones, but the number of cases increased by over 50% reaching 454 in the following five years, according to the Japan National Police Agency.