Taiwan’s traffic safety has received no shortage of criticism in the media, and the government is implementing new laws to ensure pedestrian safety. However, not everyone is happy with the latest regulations.
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According to the new traffic regulations that take effect on Friday, car and motorcycle drivers can be fined up to NT$6000 dollars (US$200) should they not yield to pedestrians. The new regulation also allows the public to report 13 traffic violations to authorities, such as unauthorized parking on the sidewalks. Many taxi drivers are unhappy with the new regulation, and around a dozen of them surrounded the transportation ministry honking their horns in protest.
Some taxi drivers say that there are already too few spots where they can park temporarily. Now, they need to worry about being reported by the public. The regulations stipulate that if a driver is reported 12 times within the same year, their license could be suspended for 2 months. Taxi drivers say that such regulations are not solving the root causes of traffic problems. In light of recent traffic accidents, some of them say the government should separate pedestrians from cars, to ensure safety.
In addition to protesting, the taxi drivers also submitted a petition to the Transportation Ministry, which was accepted. Transportation minister Wang Kwo-tsai ( 王國材) urged pedestrians to pay attention and not look at their phones when crossing the street and avoid jaywalking. He says pedestrians should not count on drivers to yield to them.
While the new regulations may help, being a pedestrian in Taiwan is no walk in the park.