Tesla driver in Taiwan fined NT$18,000 (around S$700) for taking hands off wheel to stretch
A Tesla driver in Taiwan was fined NT$18,000 (around S$700) after taking both hands off the steering wheel to stretch while using the car’s driver-assistance system on a highway.
Besides the fine, his vehicle’s licence plate was suspended for six months, and he had to attend a three-hour road safety course costing NT$600 (around S$23).
The driver recently shared his experience on Threads as a warning to others not to mistake driver-assistance technology for autonomous driving.
Driver takes both hands off wheel while stretching
The incident happened at around 2.41pm on 20 March, while the man was travelling south along National Freeway 3.
He was driving through the Longtan area at the 71.7km mark while taking his father to Nantou.
Source: SET News
According to the driver, he had activated his Tesla’s driver-assistance system when he briefly removed both hands from the steering wheel to stretch.
The manoeuvre was captured by highway surveillance equipment and he subsequently received a S$700 fine for dangerous driving.
Car effectively off the road for 6 months
The punishment did not just end with the fine.
The driver was ordered to attend a three-hour road traffic safety course, for which he paid S$23, while his car’s licence plate was suspended for six months.
This meant that he could not legally drive his Tesla during that period.
Source: SET News
He said that he still had to pay expenses such as the vehicle loan, insurance, and other ownership costs despite being unable to use it.
He also travelled between cities via high-speed rail several times each month.
According to the driver, his additional transport and vehicle-related expenses over the six months amounted to more than NT$200,000 (around S$7,800).
Calling it an expensive lesson, he urged other motorists not to repeat his mistake.
Taking hands off wheel treated as dangerous driving
Highway police said the driver was cited under Article 43, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of Taiwan’s Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, which prohibits driving in a serpentine or other dangerous manner.
Under the law, such an offence carries a fine of NT$6,000 (about S$240) to NT$36,000 (about S$1,400).
Vehicles used in offences under Article 43 can also have their licence plates suspended for six months.
Source: Freeway Bureau
Taiwan’s highway police also list “driving in another dangerous manner” under Article 43 among dangerous-driving violations.
Taiwan’s Freeway Bureau has also repeatedly warned motorists that driver-assistance systems do not make a vehicle fully autonomous.
Drivers must stay attentive, watch the road, and keep both hands on the steering wheel to take control when needed.
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Featured image adapted from China Times.
