Tokyo Police To Crack Down On Reckless Cyclists
Police officials in Tokyo plan to ramp up their crackdown on cyclists who violate traffic rules. Their aim is to reduce the number of accidents involving bicycles.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police say the number of traffic accidents in the capital is on the decline, but the percentage of cases involving bicycles has been rising.
Last year, the percentage was 43.6 percent. The Police also say more than 78 percent of the fatal or serious accidents involved violations by cyclists.
Tokyo police officers currently give bikers warnings. They do not impose penalties. Only serious violators receive traffic tickets. A so-called "red ticket" can sometimes lead to criminal charges.
The police plan to start ticketing cyclists for ignoring traffic lights in October. Cyclists will also receive tickets for failing to halt at stop signs, cycle on the right-hand side of a road and slow down on sidewalks.
Prosecutors will be able to charge cyclists who break the rules. Repeat violators will also have to take a safety course.