Japan’s Crackdown on Drunk Cycling Now Includes License Suspensions and Heavy Fines
Japan has tightened rules against drunk cycling since November 2024. Anyone caught riding a bicycle with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 mg/l or higher now faces serious penalties. These include fines of up to 500,000 yen (around $3,200) or even three years in prison.
Local authorities have also started suspending driver's licenses for those caught cycling under the influence. The move comes as police step up enforcement, particularly during December when drinking-related incidents tend to rise.
Before the law changed, driver's licenses could only be suspended for those deemed a major traffic risk—usually due to drug use. Now, even cyclists who haven’t driven a car can lose their license if caught drunk.
Osaka prefecture has seen the most suspensions so far, with 340 cases recorded. Tokyo follows with 124 suspensions. Meanwhile, some local governments, such as Chiba prefecture, have gone further by dismissing employees caught driving or cycling while intoxicated. Police have increased patrols in December, targeting drunk cyclists more aggressively. Despite the stricter rules, no fines or prison sentences have been reported yet under the revised Road Traffic Act. However, two people had their driver's licenses suspended for drunk cycling in 2024.
The new law allows for harsher punishments, including license suspensions and heavy fines. Local governments and police are enforcing the rules more strictly, especially in areas with high suspension rates. The changes aim to reduce alcohol-related cycling incidents during peak drinking seasons.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Sleep Maxxing Trends and Tips: New Zealanders Seek Better Rest
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
