TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Police in Changhua warned against reckless driving and dangerous activity on Taiwan’s roads after an online video of a blindfolded young man driving in Huatan Township stirred alarm among residents.
A video was uploaded to social media on Saturday (March 30) of a man driving a vehicle on Huatan’s Zhongshan Road for at least 300 meters while wearing a red blindfold. The incident reportedly occurred around 7:45 p.m. and was part of a religious ritual to bless a new car, reported UDN.
As the car came to a stop in front of a local temple, observers could be heard cheering. The car first drove over a pile of ghost money, before the driver and passengers exited the vehicle.
The blindfolded man, in ceremonial dress, then got out and blessed the car with chants and incense to spiritually purify the vehicle, per Mirror Media. Bystanders could be heard discussing the religious spectacle, saying “It’s a miracle!” while some observers alleged the young driver was “possessed by a god.”
Changhua police investigated the incident as soon as the video came to their attention. The driver and the owner of the vehicle are both being investigated, and each may be fined between NT$6,000 and NT$36,000 (US$190-US$1,125), per UDN.
Footage of the incident can be seen here.
