Penalties for "using a smartphone while riding a bicycle" and "driving under the influence of alcohol"

The number of traffic accidents caused by using mobile phones while riding a bicycle is on the rise.
Because there is a high possibility that traffic accidents involving bicycles driven under the influence of alcohol will result in fatalities or serious injuries,
In order to prevent traffic accidents, penalties have been established and will come into effect on November 1, 2024.

The act of holding a smartphone or other device in your hand and talking on the phone while riding a bicycle, or staring at the screen, has now been newly prohibited and is subject to penalties.
However, this does not apply to operations that are stopped.

・Riding a bicycle while holding a mobile phone (smartphone, etc.) in your hand and using it to make a call. ・Riding a bicycle while holding a mobile phone (smartphone, etc.) in your hand and looking at the image displayed on the screen.

[Penalties]
Imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to 100,000 yen (Road Traffic Act, Article 118, Paragraph 1, Item 4)

・Riding a bicycle while using a mobile phone (such as a smartphone) or staring at images
When causing an accident or other traffic hazard

[Penalties]
Imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 300,000 yen (Road Traffic Act, Article 117-4, Paragraph 1, Item 2)

New penalties have been established for drunk driving on a bicycle, as well as for providing alcohol, riding with someone, or providing a bicycle.
( Bicycles are included in the category of vehicles for the three offences of drunk driving.)

・Driving a vehicle (excluding light vehicles other than bicycles) in violation of Article 65, Paragraph 1 of the Road Traffic Act.
At the time of driving, the driver had more than the amount of alcohol in his/her body as specified by government ordinance.

[Penalties]
Imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (Road Traffic Act, Article 117-2-2, Paragraph 1, Item 3)

・Providing a vehicle (excluding light vehicles other than bicycles) to a person who is likely to drive under the influence of alcohol.

[Penalties]
Imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (Road Traffic Act, Article 117-2-2, Paragraph 1, Item 4)

・Providing alcohol or encouraging someone to drink alcohol who is likely to drive under the influence of alcohol

[Penalties]
Imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 300,000 yen (Road Traffic Act, Article 117-3-2, Item 2)

・If you are riding in a vehicle (excluding light vehicles other than bicycles) knowing that the driver is under the influence of alcohol and requesting them to drive you

[Penalties]
Imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 300,000 yen (Article 117-3-2, item 3 of the Road Traffic Act)