TOKYO, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- In a hit-and-run incident in the Japanese city of Nagoya, a man suffered severe injuries after being hit by an electric kickboard, according to local police.
The incident took place on a municipal road around 5:20 p.m. local time on Saturday, when a man in his 20s collided with the 47-year-old victim while riding an electric kickboard and fled the scene, said the local police citing reports from a passerby.
The victim, identified as a self-employed man residing in the Higashi Ward of the city, suffered multiple injuries including a broken collarbone. He is currently receiving medical treatment.
The Aichi Prefectural Police's Chubu Police Station is currently pursuing the whereabouts of the individual who fled the scene, suspecting violations of Japan's road traffic law, specifically a hit-and-run.
According to the Chubu Police Station, the area where the incident occurred prohibits using motorized bicycles, including electric kickboards equivalent to mopeds.
The incident has rekindled safety concerns regarding the use of e-kickboards in restricted areas and the responsibility of riders to adhere to traffic regulations.
Under revisions to the Road Traffic Act that took effect on July 1, a driver's license is no longer required for riding motorized kickscooters in Japan, and e-kickboards, now classified like bicycles, with a maximum speed of 20 kph can be ridden on the left side of the road or in bicycle lanes.
Models with a maximum controlled speed of 6 kph may be ridden on sidewalks where bicycles are allowed. ■
