A new traffic law came into effect in Japan this Friday, establishing prison sentences and fines for cyclists who use mobile phones or drive under the influence of alcohol.
Under this new regulation, cyclists caught using mobile phones while riding will face penalties of up to six months in prison or fines of 100,000 yen. If they cause an accident, the penalty can reach up to one year in prison or fines of 300,000 yen.
Previously, using a mobile phone while riding a bicycle incurred fines of up to 50,000 yen, according to local public safety regulations.
Additionally, the law stiffens penalties for cyclists riding while intoxicated, as those with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 milligrams per liter of exhaled air will face penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of 500,000 yen.
Between 2013 and 2017, 295 accidents caused by cyclists using mobile phones were recorded in Japan. However, this figure increased by more than 50% to 454 cases in the subsequent five-year period, according to the Japanese National Police Agency.
An official from the institution mentioned that the increase in accidents could be related to the proliferation of mobile phones and the growing variety of video content and games available on them.
