Beneath scrutiny: Cops checking on a bicycle alongside a avenue within the Shibuya district of central Tokyo, Japan.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP

Cyclists utilizing a cell phone whereas driving in Japan might withstand six months in jail below strict new guidelines that entered into drive on Friday (November 1, 2024).

Those that breach the revised highway site visitors legislation will be punished with a most of six months in jail or a nice of as much as 100,000 yen ($660).

“Making a name with a smartphone in your hand whereas biking, or watching the display screen, is now banned and topic to punishment,” a Nationwide Police Company leaflet says.

Some accidents brought on by cyclists watching screens have resulted in pedestrian deaths, based on the Authorities.

Though the entire variety of site visitors accidents is declining in Japan, the proportion that includes bicycles is on the rise.

Not like many different international locations, driving a bicycle on the pavement is allowed in often law-abiding Japan and a standard sight.

Beneath the brand new guidelines, biking whereas drunk can land the rider with as much as three years in jail or a nice of as much as 5,00,000 yen.

Those that provide alcoholic drinks to cyclists withstand two years in jail or a nice of as much as 3,00,000 yen.