Miaoli County in northern Taiwan is home to “Sunset Boulevard”, a highway that’s supposedly the most beautiful anywhere in Taiwan. Unfortunately, this beauty can lead to some unwise decisions: it’s not unusual to see motorists getting out of their cars and standing on the highway to take a photo. The county government has come up with a solution.
A section of the Provincial Highway 61 in Miaoli County has become famed for its sunset views. But the scenery the highway has to offer often impairs travelers’ judgment. So far this year alone, police have given 85 tickets to motorists and motorcycle riders for standing in the road for a photo opportunity.
Repeated incidents like these have led the county government to apply to the central bank for a budget of US$400,000 to build an observation deck. It will be built in an open area away from the highway. The county government says that there will also be a parking lot, allowing travelers to enjoy the highway’s beautiful scenery in safety.