this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2024
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Woman suspected of violating traffic law for riding an electric suitcase (www3.nhk.or.jp)
submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/23992689

Archive/mirror: https://archive.ph/zoBGi

Police in Japan have sent papers to prosecutors concerning a woman under suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act for allegedly riding an "electric suitcase" on a sidewalk without a license.

The police say this is the first time someone has been identified for an alleged traffic offense involving such ridable luggage in Japan.

...

Electric suitcases can move at a maximum of 13 kilometers per hour, and are legally in the same category as small motorcycles.

But they are not allowed on public roads in Japan as they do not meet standards for brakes and blinkers set by the Road Transport Vehicle Act.

The woman is reportedly denying the charges saying during voluntary questioning that she was not aware that the suitcase is a vehicle that requires a driver's license.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

Strictly speaking in most countries, it isnt. But an argument can be made that "the vast majority wouldnt be aware that this was against the law" Prosecutors can always elect not to file any charges or lay fines, the courts can always elect to be lenient and not impose any penalty especially when theres any lack of intent or harm. If she had knocked someone down riding it, that would be a different story.

The law will not reference ridable electric suitcases specifically but "motorised ridable vehicles caipable of speeds in excess of 10km/h or with a rated power of more than 500W" (for example) to prevent people from saying "Its not a motorcycle officer, you can clearly see its a suitcase"