Is a smartphone holder on a moped illegal? Also, precautions for using it as a navigation system.

Is it illegal to attach a smartphone holder to a moped?

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/A1-334802/

It is illegal to operate or stare at your smartphone while riding, but is it illegal to attach a smartphone holder to a moped, which allows you to view your smartphone screen at any time while riding?

In conclusion, simply attaching a smartphone holder to a moped is not a violation, but there are precautions to take to avoid being cited for a violation.

It's a violation if you stare at or touch your smartphone

It is not a violation to ride with your smartphone in a smartphone holder, but it is a violation if you stare at or operate your smartphone.

Even when stopped on the road, such as at a traffic light, operating your smartphone may be subject to a citation, so do not operate your smartphone while riding, including when stopped at a traffic light.

What does "staring" mean?

"Staring" refers to looking intently, meaning looking only at the smartphone screen.

If a police officer sees you looking at your smartphone screen, even for a brief moment, it will be considered a violation.

Relationship between speed and distance traveled

Since motorcycles are constantly moving, at 60 km/h, they travel approximately 16.6 meters in one second.

Even if you only stare at your smartphone for one second, the motorcycle will have traveled 16.7 meters (at 60 km/h) in that time, so if someone were to suddenly jump out into the road during that moment, you can see how dangerous it is to be distracted by your smartphone.

Relationship between speed and distance traveled

If you endanger others, your license may be suspended.

If driving while holding or using a smartphone is deemed to have endangered other traffic, 6 points will be added to your license and it will be immediately suspended.

Even if it does not lead to an accident involving other traffic, you will be subject to a violation citation if your driving is simply deemed dangerous, such as forcing others to brake suddenly.

Staring (concentrating) at your smartphone while driving is a violation

Source: https://pixabay.com/ja/photos/AB-393080/

If you stare at your smartphone (focus your eyes on your smartphone), it may be a violation even if you are not operating your smartphone.

The same applies to motorcycle navigation systems; if you stare at your smartphone or navigation system, it will be subject to a citation for inattentive driving (violation of safe driving obligations).

What is the obligation to drive safely?

The obligation to drive safely is a driving obligation stipulated in Article 70 of the Road Traffic Act, and it is a violation imposed when a driver makes an operational error or neglects to confirm safety during driving.

Article 70 of the Road Traffic Act states the following:

"A driver of a vehicle, etc. shall operate the steering wheel, brakes, and other devices of the vehicle, etc. reliably, and shall drive at a speed and in a manner that does not endanger others, in accordance with the road, traffic, and conditions of the vehicle, etc."

Source: https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=335AC0000000105

(e-gov Road Traffic Act Article 70)

There are many cases where serious accidents occur while drivers are distracted by things unrelated to driving or looking away to search for something, and since inattentive driving can endanger others, it constitutes a violation of the safe driving obligation.

Driving while staring at a smartphone is considered distracted driving.

Inattentive driving, which falls under a violation of safe driving obligations, is categorized into "absent-minded driving" and "distracted driving," and driving while staring at a smartphone is distracted driving.

Distracted driving refers to driving without looking ahead while moving, and in addition to staring at a smartphone, "driving while doing something else," such as searching for something in a tank bag, also falls under distracted driving.

Stricter penalties for "distracted driving"

Source: https://www.pakutaso.com/20211005279post-37086.html

Since September 2019, penalties for distracted driving with a smartphone have become stricter, with violation points and fines tripling compared to before.

Furthermore, if a serious accident is caused by distracted driving with a smartphone, even heavier penalties will be imposed.

Violation points and fines significantly increased

Due to the sharp increase in accidents caused by distracted driving while operating or talking on a smartphone, the Road Traffic Act was amended, and as of December 1, 2019, the violation points were tripled.

Violation points for driving while holding a mobile phone, such as a smartphone, have increased from 1 point to 3 points, and the fine has significantly increased from 5,000 yen to 12,000 yen for mopeds, and from 6,000 yen to 15,000 yen for motorcycles.

Heavy criminal penalties if you endanger other traffic

If you cause an accident or are deemed to have endangered other traffic while holding or using a smartphone, the penalty will be heavier, and you will receive 6 violation points, resulting in an immediate license suspension even if you have no prior traffic violations or accidents.

In addition to an immediate license suspension, the case will be handled as a criminal case rather than under the traffic violation notification system, resulting in a heavier penalty.

Prior to the amendment, paying the violation points and fine meant that it would not be treated as a criminal case. However, after the amendment, a criminal penalty will be imposed, so it is important to note that simply paying the fine will not resolve the matter.

What happens if you are charged with a criminal offense?

If you cause an accident or endanger other traffic due to distracted driving, you may face a criminal penalty of "imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 300,000 yen."

A court summons will be sent to you later, and the court will determine the appropriate penalty based on your past traffic violation history, etc., and then issue a ruling. Therefore, the penalty is actually finalized by the court.

For relatively minor violations such as failing to stop at a stop sign or improper lane usage, the traffic violation notification system applies, and paying the fine means it will not be treated as a criminal case. However, for serious distracted driving violations, the traffic violation notification system does not apply, and the offense is prosecuted as a criminal case.

What are the criteria for being penalized for "distracted driving"?

Source: https://www.pakutaso.com/20200349079post-25211.html

Staring at or operating the screen of a smartphone (including navigation) while driving is subject to citation, but when using a smartphone navigation app or other navigation system to reach a destination, you may not be able to get there without looking at the screen.

Some of you may think that this defeats the purpose of navigation, so I will explain the criteria for what constitutes distracted driving, so please refer to it.

Criteria for being cited for distracted driving

The criteria for judging distracted driving are based on Article 71, Paragraph 5, Item 5 of the Road Traffic Act, which states the following:

"When driving an automobile or motorized bicycle, except when the vehicle is stopped, a person shall not use a mobile phone device (limited to those that cannot transmit or receive unless held with all or part of the hand), an automobile phone device, or other wireless communication device for talking, or stare at images displayed on an image display device attached to or brought into the vehicle."

To summarize, it is stipulated that, except when the motorcycle is stopped, a person shall not talk on a smartphone held in their hand or stare at the screen of a smartphone or navigation system while driving.

It is not a problem to talk or stare at the screen when stopped, but talking with the phone in hand or staring at the screen is prohibited while driving.

Regarding "staring," there is no specific regulation on how many seconds of screen time constitutes staring, and it is judged by the police officer on site. Therefore, even if you only looked at the screen for about 1 second, it may be judged as staring.

Talking is not a violation if it's hands-free.

Article 71, Paragraph 5, Item 5 of the Road Traffic Act states that "it is prohibited to talk while driving with a smartphone held in your hand," but talking hands-free using a smartphone holder, etc., is not a violation.

If you attach a smartphone holder to your motorcycle and create a hands-free environment for talking, you can talk while riding.

The next section explains how to attach a smartphone holder to a moped, so if you want to talk while riding or use navigation apps, please refer to it.

I want to attach it as a navigation device! How to install a smartphone holder on a moped

Source: https://www.pakutaso.com/20190816226post-22668.html

This section explains how to attach a smartphone holder to a moped, using the general clamp bar type as an example.

If you are considering attaching a smartphone holder or are curious about what happens when you attach one, please refer to this section.

How to install a clamp bar type smartphone holder

A clamp bar type smartphone holder is fixed by clamping the clamp bar to the rearview mirror mounting part.

First, remove the rearview mirror. You will need two wrenches or monkey wrenches for removal. The nut size varies depending on the motorcycle model, so prepare the tools appropriate for your motorcycle. (Two wrenches or one wrench and one monkey wrench are acceptable.)

Two nuts are used to secure the rearview mirror, and each is a standard thread (right-hand thread) and a reverse thread, so be careful not to turn them in the wrong direction when loosening them.

Holder Installation

Once the clamp bar is attached to the rearview mirror, check if there is any looseness in the clamp bar. If there is, adjust it by wrapping electrical tape or similar.

Attach the clamp bar and smartphone holder, then attach your smartphone to it and check if it is securely fixed. After that, try a test ride while monitoring the situation.

6 Recommended Smartphone Holders for Mopeds

Source: https://www.pakutaso.com/20170601177post-12218.html

We introduce 6 recommended smartphone holder models that can be attached to mopeds.

If you are considering installing a smartphone holder or are already using one but are thinking of switching to another, please refer to this section.

1. DAYTONA Smartphone Holder WIDE IH-250D Quick

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-92602

DAYTONA "Smartphone Holder WIDE IH-250D Quick" is recommended for those looking for a smartphone holder that securely holds their smartphone.

In addition to the smartphone fixing arms that move up, down, left, and right, you can also add the included anti-slip silicone band for extra security, ensuring your smartphone is firmly held.

It adopts a quick-release type that allows for easy attachment and detachment by simply fixing the clamp part's fastener, making it simple to change holders.

• Applicable dimensions (mm): Length 110-147, Width 55-85, Thickness 6-18
• Retail price (tax included): 4,400 yen

2. joyroom Motorcycle Smartphone Holder JOYROOM

Source: https://amzn.to/49qNHEQ

The joyroom "Motorcycle Smartphone Holder JOYROOM" is recommended for those looking for an affordable smartphone holder.

It uses a one-touch system to secure your smartphone; simply place your smartphone in the holder, gently press the central button to automatically lock the four corners, and easily remove it in less than a second by pinching the levers on both sides.

The back of the holder also features a one-touch switch for even stronger locking, which is useful for rough roads with many bumps or for use on highways.

• Applicable dimensions: 4.7 to 7 inches
• Retail price (tax included): 2,499 yen

3. DAYTONA Motorcycle Smartphone Holder Quick Type IH-100D

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-79351

The DAYTONA "Motorcycle Smartphone Holder Quick Type IH-100D" is a quick-release type smartphone holder that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the clamp without tools.

In addition to swiveling left and right, the holder rotates at 18-degree intervals, allowing you to adjust it to your height and preferred viewing position.

It is designed with grooves to more securely hold the anti-slip silicone band, and also has strap attachment holes, allowing you to further prevent your smartphone from falling off by using a carabiner or similar.

• Applicable dimensions (mm): Width 58-68, Thickness 9-15 (some models may not be compatible)
• Retail price (tax included): 3,215 yen

4. Kaedear Motorcycle Smartphone Holder

Source: https://amzn.to/40xqdd5

The Kaedear "Motorcycle Smartphone Holder" is recommended for those looking for a smartphone holder that allows easy attachment and detachment of their smartphone.

Simply place your smartphone in the holder to easily lock it, and removal is also simple by just grasping the release levers on both sides, allowing for easy attachment and removal of your smartphone.

With its unique and beautiful design, it is compatible with various types of smartphones, including those with protruding cameras and vertically long smartphones.

• Applicable dimensions (mm): Length/132-170, Width/60-80, Thickness/15
• Retail price (tax included): 5,489 yen

5. DAYTONA Motorcycle Smartphone Holder Rigid Type IH-400D

Source: https://bikeman.jp/products/d-79350

The DAYTONA "Motorcycle Smartphone Holder Rigid Type IH-400D" is recommended for those looking for a rigid type smartphone holder that securely fastens the clamp part with bolts.

Compared to the quick-release type that allows for easy removal of the holder, this type securely fixes the holder, making it also recommended for those who want to enhance security.

DAYTONA also offers optional wireless chargers (product number: 16079) and USB power supplies (product numbers: 99502/99503), making the holder even more convenient to use.

• Applicable dimensions (mm): Width 58-68, Thickness 9-15 (some models may not be compatible)
• Retail price (tax included): 3,215 yen

6. Tiakia Motorcycle Smartphone Holder for Mopeds

Source: https://amzn.to/3QsBK94

The Tiakia "Motorcycle Smartphone Holder for Mopeds" is a smartphone holder compatible with a wide range of smartphones from 3.5 to 6.4 inches and up to 12mm thick.

By adopting a flexible gimbal ball, the holder can be freely rotated 360 degrees, allowing you to adjust it to a more visible position or change the angle when sunlight makes the screen difficult to see.

It employs a ratchet-type fastening that tightens in one direction, and with sponge pads and claws that firmly hold all four corners, there is no need to worry about the smartphone falling out of the holder.

• Applicable dimensions (mm): Length/115-175, Width/58-88, Thickness/<12
• Retail price (tax included): 2,198 yen

Summary

Source: https://www.pakutaso.com/20190356067post-19842.html

We have explained the basic knowledge of whether attaching a smartphone holder to a motorcycle is a violation, and actions that are subject to violation citations while riding.

By skillfully utilizing a smartphone holder as a means to use smartphone navigation apps or secure a place for your smartphone, motorcycle riding becomes more convenient.

However, "distracted driving," which involves staring at your smartphone while riding, leads to inattentive driving and is not only subject to citation as a violation of safe driving obligations, but also carries the risk of serious accidents, so caution is necessary.