By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — A scooter rider fined for riding with both hands off the handlebars on Gaoping Bridge (高屏大橋) failed to overturn most of his penalty after arguing that his hands were numb from carpal tunnel syndrome.
The rider was reported by a member of the public after being seen riding through Daliao District (大寮) without holding the handlebars.
Authorities fined him NT$12,000 and suspended his license plate for six months for dangerous driving.
The rider filed an administrative lawsuit, saying he had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and had lowered his right hand only briefly because it felt numb.
The Kaohsiung High Administrative Court reviewed video and photo evidence and found that the rider had been riding with both hands off the handlebars. The court also said he was traveling at high speed.
The judge said traffic rules require drivers not to operate a vehicle if an illness or physical condition affects driving safety.
The court said the rider should have judged his own physical condition before getting on the road, rather than using discomfort as an excuse after the fact.
However, the court also found that authorities had improperly added a requirement for the rider to attend a road safety lecture when reviewing the case.
The judge said the added punishment violated the principle that an appeal or administrative challenge should not leave the person worse off than before.
The court canceled the road safety lecture requirement, but upheld the NT$12,000 fine and six-month license plate suspension.
The ruling can be appealed.
