JAPAN launched a “blue ticket” system Wednesday allowing police to crack down on cycling violations such as using smartphones while riding as the country toughens its measures to curb accidents amid a cycling boom.
The system under the revised Road Traffic Act targets a total of 113 relatively minor violations with fines of up to 12,000 yen ($76). They range from ignoring traffic lights and stop signs to entering closed railroad crossings and riding on sidewalks. It applies to people aged 16 and older.
Under the law, police are allowed to bypass written or verbal warnings and immediately fine people for high-risk offences that can cause accidents.
The maximum 12,000 yen fine is set for distracted cycling, which covers not only making phone calls while riding but also staring at a screen fixed on a bicycle phone mount.
Other offenses expected to result in immediate fines without warning include entering a railway crossing while its barriers are lowered, with a penalty of 7,000 yen, and riding fixed-gear bicycles and other brakeless bikes, with a 5,000 yen penalty. — Kyodo
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar