The National Police Agency has reported that the number of traffic violations by users of electric scooters, which have been permitted under certain conditions without a driver's license since July 2023, was 25,156 in the 12 months to June this year.
In July last year, the revised Road Traffic Act came into effect, allowing people aged 16 and over to ride electric scooters that meet certain standards, such as maximum speed and vehicle size, without a driver's license.
The NPA said the most common offenses were traffic lane violations, such as entering the sidewalk without switching to a slower speed mode (13,842 cases), followed by ignoring traffic lights ( 7,725) and failing to stop at stop signs (1,455 cases). There were also 194 cases of drunk driving.
Meanwhile, 226 people were injured in accidents involving electric scooters but no deaths were reported. By prefecture, Tokyo accounted for 165 cases, or 75% of the total.
The NPA is calling for strict adherence to traffic rules and will focus on cracking down on serious traffic violations such as drunk driving.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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factchecker
We're these fines? If so how much was the penalty charge?
Never seen cops get out of their kobans to enforce these or cycling rule breakers in my area of Tokyo.
falseflagsteve
These things get in my wick at times, bombing around like nutters and all that. Well, when you lie in a busy area like I do they can be dangerous you see. I’ll stick to cycling or walking, thank you kindly.
リッチ
LUUP should take responsibility. Many of their scooters are broken parts which is illegal under Japanese law and they encourage strangers to go into areas they normally wouldn’t in the search for coupon parking bringing with it noise, strangers to the area and security issues, extra rubbish and just overall annoying the Neighboor like airbnb people did. When is Japan going to implement the law and prohibit broken units from being used and stop getting strangers into areas they normally wouldn’t. Not only safety while riding but overall just bad.
wallace
I have never seen one where I live. People still use bicycles.
Martimurano
These e-machines are a nuisance the world over - ridden by people who don't give a fig for the safety and welfare of pedestrians anywhere. If the figures are to be believed, it's impressive that the J-cops have been so diligent in recording such a high number of violations; I just hope that they also lead to big-fines being dished-out too, as a message to others: Safety First.
wallace
Many major western cities like London for instance, have an e-bike litter nuisance.
WoodyLee
""The NPA said the most common offenses were traffic lane violations, such as entering the sidewalk without switching to a slower speed mode (13,842 cases), followed by ignoring traffic lights ( 7,725) and failing to stop at stop signs (1,455 cases). There were also 194 cases of drunk driving.""
it will be interesting to see the number of violations for Automobile, I bet it's the same or even more.
I get cut off daily, I see drivers ignoring red light weekly, I see drivers no stopping at all at stop signs, and if you don't believe it, just go and sit near a traffic signal and watch for yourself, just make sure you don't get run over especially at night.
WoodyLee
Soon driving school will pick the police report and use it as they see a business opportunity to make more $$$$$. They will start lobbying and pushing for a License for scooters for about 50,000 to 80,000. just watch and see I promise you all.
リッチ
Second point. Just think about how many the police let go without recording it and then multiply that by 1000 for the ones missed. They should be outlawed.
Disco Biscuit
I am hoping that the same laws are introduced on all bicycles. I see people riding with alcohol in the hands, and children without helmets.
There are a thousand times more bicycles breaking more rules at higher speeds and lots of intoxicated people riding on the footpath.
リッチ
I personally hate how they ride by my house at 3am making noise and I suspect drunk. The riders can’t afford a taxi and suspect most are drunk after 12am.
baktaka
These things are very useful along w/ rental bikes for getting around when my partner has the car. However I really do wish these things are properly policed.. along w/ cyclists who do not follow the rules of the road. I think realistically though the police have their hands full citing car drivers. And from their perspective they will continue to primarily target car drivers given the amount of damage they can inflict is much greater than people on scooters or bikes. I was recently attending the mandatory training required to be attended at liscense renewals. Majority of deaths due to accidents on the road unsurprisingly are pedestirans, followed by cylclists then people on scooters/motorcycles. The instructor stressed to the class its the car drivers responsibility to watch out (while frequently mutturing how pedestrains and cyclists get themselves in trouble for being stupid
falseflagsteve
Old bill round here don’t seem to bother much about them bleeding things. Only seem to ever stop car drivers and motorcycles.
Zaphod
These things are dangerous and annoying as hell. Tokyo should follow Paris and Madrid and ban them.