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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

Japan's revised law clarifying dangerous driving takes effect

A staff fills up gas in a customer's car at a gasoline station in Tokyo on March 25, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

A revised law aimed at cracking down on dangerous driving resulting in death and injury entered into force on Tuesday, setting clear standards for speeding and alcohol levels amid calls for greater clarity.

Under the law, "high speed" is defined as travelling over the speed limit by at least 50 kilometres per hour on ordinary roads and 60 kph on highways. For drunken driving, a breath alcohol level of at least 0.5 milligrammes per liter has been set.

The numerical targets will make it easier for authorities to determine whether driving was dangerous, given that some cases were treated as negligent driving due to the difficulty of proving deliberate intent.

Dangerous driving carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Speeding below the newly defined standard could still be considered dangerous in areas where children are walking home from school or on icy roads.

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