New taipei: Police in New Taipei's Zhonghe District on Sunday said they had recently given out the city's first-ever fine for driving a mini electric two-wheel vehicle while under the influence of drugs. In a press statement, the New Taipei City Police Department revealed the incident involved a 58-year-old man, surnamed Lu, who voluntarily approached the Jisui Police Station around 4 p.m. on Friday to turn himself in.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lu expressed his intention to overcome his drug addiction and surrendered a bag of amphetamines along with a pipe to the police. Officers at the station conducted a search and questioned Lu, preparing to hand him over to prosecutors for a formal investigation on charges of drug possession.
Further investigation by the officers revealed that Lu had arrived at the station using a mini electric two-wheel vehicle. Consequently, a rapid saliva test was administered to determine if he was under the influence of drugs while operating the vehicle. The test returned positive for amphetamines, leading to the issuance of a citation against Lu. This citation marked the first instance of a drug-impaired driving fine being issued in New Taipei for a driver of a mini electric two-wheel vehicle.
The regulatory category of "mini electric two-wheel vehicle" in Taiwan falls between a standard motorcycle/scooter and an electric power-auxiliary bicycle. Drivers must be at least 14 years old, and while a driver's license is not necessary, owners are required to obtain a license plate and insurance for their vehicles.
Under Taiwan's Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, these vehicles are primarily powered by electricity, with a top speed of 25 kph or less, and must weigh at least 40 kilograms without a battery and 60 kilograms with a battery. The act stipulates that operating a slow-moving vehicle, such as a bicycle, electric auxiliary bike, mini electric two-wheel vehicle, personal mobility device, or animal-driven vehicle, while impaired by drugs or alcohol, incurs a fine ranging from NT$1,200 (US$38.20) to NT$2,400 and may result in the vehicle being impounded.