Current regulations in Taiwan allow individuals aged 14 and older to operate electric micro-mobility vehicles without a driver’s license. According to data from the first half of 2026, there were over 6,200 accidents involving these vehicles, with riders aged 13 to 17 accounting for more than 40 percent of these incidents, totaling 2,650 cases.
Tsai Ying-hao, a high school educator, argues that the current policy lacks a sufficient safety threshold for minors entering public traffic. While schools are often tasked with managing student use of these vehicles through registration and designated parking, educators note that schools vary significantly in size and resources. Many institutions lack the physical space to accommodate these vehicles, and teachers lack the legal authority to enforce traffic laws or conduct inspections on public roads.
The article suggests that the responsibility for road safety should be clearly divided between central government authorities, law enforcement, and educational institutions. It proposes that the central government establish a mandatory safety assessment or training mechanism for minors before they are permitted to operate these vehicles, rather than allowing them to ride without any form of certification.
Furthermore, the author emphasizes that law enforcement and supervisory agencies should be responsible for monitoring vehicle modifications, speed limit compliance, and traffic violations. Schools should focus on traffic safety education, student counseling, and communication with parents, rather than acting as surrogate law enforcement agencies. The proposal aligns with ongoing discussions in the Legislative Yuan regarding the potential implementation of safety certifications or specialized permits for young riders to address the rising accident rates.
Article source: www.thenewslens.com | Image credit: www.thenewslens.com