Hours after the new laws came into force, Osaka authorities confirmed on Friday that they had already recorded five violations of the new traffic law, including two men who were caught driving their bikes while under the influence of alcohol. . While one of the men collided with another cyclist, no one was injured.
According to local media, more than 72,000 bicycle accidents were recorded in Japan in 2023, accounting for more than 20% of all traffic accidents in the country.
In the first half of 2024, there was one fatality and 17 serious injuries in crashes involving cyclists using a phone, the highest number since police began keeping statistics in 2007.
Between 2018 and 2022, there were 454 crashes involving cyclists using phones, a 50% increase on the previous five-year period, according to police.
The latest rules are part of a series of safety regulations aimed at protecting the safety of riders and pedestrians.
Last year, the authorities introduced the mandatory wearing of helmets for cyclists. In May, Japan’s parliament passed a bill that would allow the police to fine cyclists for traffic violations.
