After more than 20 years of handling cases, it is clear that motorcycle and moped accidents have the highest death rate of all traffic cases, resulting in egregious costs for individuals, families and society.
In Japan, in the past 30 years, motorcycle sales have decreased precipitously. The reason for this is that schools and parents have joined together to discourage people from buying and riding motorcycles, and even from applying for the license test to ride a motorcycle in the first place.
The main problem with motorcycles, the one that often leads to loss of life, is that it is very easy for the rider to fall off. However, thanks to developments in electric vehicle (EV) technology, the number of compact EVs of all forms has increased exponentially. This includes two-wheeled EVs that are covered to provide shelter from the wind and rain, and use gyroscopes to provide balance. Others have three wheels to increase vehicle stability and improve safety.
In addition to being lighter, and giving more consideration to convenience and maneuverability, they can also conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. They are a green traffic tool that can mitigate pollution, improve the aesthetics of our cities and showcase new technologies.
It is regrettable that existing traffic laws have yet to catch up with the times. For now, residents can only console themselves with their imaginations, hoping that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and other responsible departments would quickly amend laws so that compact EVs that comply with safety regulations can enter the market.
Sena Chen is a prosecutor.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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