Japan's Revised Road Traffic Law: Stricter Penalties for Cyclists from November 2024

Starting November 1, 2024, Japan will enforce a stricter version of its Road Traffic Law to address rising concerns over cyclist behavior, particularly regarding cellphone use and cycling under the influence. With increasing accidents and fatalities involving cyclists, the new law introduces tough penalties aimed at ensuring road safety for both cyclists and pedestrians.

1. Cellphone Use While Cycling: Steeper Penalties

Cyclists caught using their phones while riding—whether making calls, texting, or even just glancing at their devices—will face severe consequences:

• Fines: up to ¥100,000 ($675)
• Imprisonment: for up to six months

In cases where a cyclist using a cellphone causes an accident, such as hitting a pedestrian, the penalties escalate:

• Fines: rise to ¥300,000
• Imprisonment: increases to up to one year

This crackdown comes in response to alarming statistics. Between 2021 and 2023, Japan witnessed around 25 fatalities or serious injuries annually due to cellphone use while cycling. In 2024, the number of such incidents more than doubled in the first half of the year alone.

2. Cycling Under the Influence: Severe Consequences

The law defines "cycling under the influence" as a breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 milligrams per liter or more. First-time offenders will now face:

• Fines: up to ¥500,000
• Imprisonment: for up to three years

Moreover, the law introduces penalties for those indirectly involved in the offense:

• Bicycle providers and alcohol suppliers to cyclists who ride under the influence can face the same penalties as the offenders.

In cases of more serious intoxication, existing penalties remain harsher, with fines reaching up to ¥1 million and imprisonment for up to five years. Despite these measures, around 100 accidents involving drunk cyclists occur annually, often resulting in fatalities or serious injuries.

3. Cyclist Accident Statistics: A Growing Concern

Cycling accidents accounted for 23.5% of all traffic accidents in Japan in 2023, totaling 72,339 incidents. The surge in accidents due to cellphone use is particularly concerning, with a 53.9% increase between 2013-2017 and 2018-2022.

4. New Enforcement System: "Blue Ticket" for Minor Offenses

By May 2026, Japan will introduce a "Blue Ticket" system, allowing cyclists to resolve minor traffic violations by paying fines, avoiding criminal charges. This system will apply to offenders aged 16 and older and cover 113 violations, such as:

• ¥5,000 fine for using an umbrella while cycling
• ¥12,000 fine for talking on the phone while cycling

Offenders must pay fines within eight days to close their case, or they will face criminal proceedings.

5. "Red Ticket" for Serious Offenses

For more serious offenses, such as cycling under the influence, the existing "Red Ticket" system will continue. These cases involve police investigations, prosecution, and potentially court trials.

6. Classifying Dangerous Acts

The revised law classifies both cellphone use and riding under the influence as "dangerous acts." Repeat offenders will be required to attend training courses, reinforcing the government's commitment to improving cyclist safety.

With these revisions, Japan is signaling a firm stance on cyclist behavior to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads. Cyclists, like drivers, now face greater accountability, with significant consequences for negligent actions. The hope is that these stricter measures will lead to a reduction in accidents and foster a safer environment for all road users.