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Japan nets 6,000 drivers using cell phones in 3 days
By Martyn Williams

Japanese police have caught more than 6,000 people using cell phones while driving in the first three days since a new law banning the practice was introduced, Japan's National Police Agency said Thursday.

Since Monday, a revision to the country's Road Traffic Act has made the use of cell phones for voice or e-mail illegal while driving unless the driver is using a hands-free system. Police agencies across the country have deployed a total of 35,100 personnel to spot and catch offenders, who are then issued fines. Along with a fine, the traffic violation also comes with a penalty point against the offender's driving license.

Moped riders face a ¥5,000 (US$47) penalty, motorcycle riders and car drivers are penalized ¥6,000 and drivers of trucks and other large vehicles are penalized ¥7,000. Offenders face a ¥50,000 fine should they ignore the penalty.

Police issued traffic violation tickets to 3,645 drivers on Monday, 1,697 on Tuesday and 679 people up to 3 p.m. local time Wednesday to take the total number of those now facing fines to 6,021 drivers, said Isaka, a spokesman for the National Police Agency who declined to give his first name.

Posted November 4, 2004 03:39 PM |