Asia Tech Wire (Nov 1) -- Japan has been implementing a revised road traffic law since Friday that severely punishes the use of cell phones while cycling and cycling under the influence of alcohol.

Under the new version of the road traffic law, the use of a phone while riding a bicycle is punishable by up to six months in jail or a fine of up to 100,000 yen.

If this causes a traffic accident, the penalty is imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 300,000 yen.

In comparison, under the old version of the relevant regulations, a person caught using a cell phone while riding a bicycle was subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen.

The revised road traffic law also strengthens the penalties for cyclists who ride while intoxicated.

Those who are tested to have more than 0.15 milligrams of alcohol per liter of breath can be sentenced to up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to 500,000 yen.

Cyclists under the influence of alcohol face up to five years' imprisonment or a fine of up to 1 million yen if they are deemed unable to ride safely, regardless of the level of alcohol in their breath.