Japan set to jail drunk cyclists or those who use cellphones

ISTANBUL

Japan enacted stringent new cycling laws on Friday that could land riders in prison for using cellphones or cycling under the influence of alcohol.

Under the amended Road Traffic Act, cyclists caught using phones for any purpose – including calls, texts, or browsing – could face up to six months in prison or fines up to 100,000 yen ($650), Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

​​​​​​​In case of an accident, penalties increase to one year in prison or fines of up to 300,000 yen.

The law also toughens sanctions for alcohol-impaired cycling. Riders with breath alcohol levels exceeding 0.15 milligrams per liter could face three years behind bars or 500,000 yen fines, while drunk cycling carries maximum penalties of five years in jail or a fine of 1 million yen.

The stricter measures come amid rising cycling accidents in Japan, which have shot up since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted more people to bike for transportation.