Penalty Increase Proposal for Not Giving Way to Pedestrians 修法草案 車輛未禮讓行人最高處6千罰鍰

CNN Travel recently pointed out Taiwan's road safety issues, calling it a living hell for pedestrians. The MOTC says they're amending laws to penalize vehicles that fail to yield to pedestrians.

CNN Travel recently reported on Taiwan's traffic in a special article, pointing out that dangerous roads are well-known. The article also quoted the warning from the U.S. State Department, "be alert for the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic...Exercise caution when crossing streets." CNN's report triggered a response from many Taiwanese netizens. Civic groups have called for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to improve the situation.

Chen Hung-i, Chairperson, Taiwan Traffic Safety Assoc.: “Vehicles and foot traffic should complement each other, not replace each other. Pedestrians need a physical pedestrian walkway instead of just a smear of green paint.”

Elected representatives pointed out that Japan, whose population is six times that of Taiwan, had 2,636 traffic fatalities in 2021, while Taiwan had nearly 3,000 deaths. The number of road traffic fatalities in Taiwan from January to November this year also increased compared to last year. The Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kuo-tsai responded that his ministry has worked with local governments to formulate countermeasures in five counties and cities with more traffic accidents. The MOTC has started to amend the law to increase fines on drivers not yielding to pedestrians.

Wang Kuo-tsai, Minister, MOTC: “Our proposed amendment, which is currently in the Legislative Yuan for review, will increase the fine from NT$3,600 to NT$6,000 for drivers not yielding to pedestrians.”

The MOTC stated that in the past, road design in urban areas was based on vehicles, but now, design is gradually improving. However, there are still many shortcomings, and the ministry will continue to work hard to improve. 
 

CNN Travel日前以專文報導台灣交通「危險道路」聲名遠播，並引述美國國務院警告，「對穿梭於車流中的機車得保持警惕，過馬路要小心！」報導引發台灣廣大網友迴響，民間團體呼籲，交通部必須通盤改善。

台灣交通安全協會理事長陳宏益指出：「交通載具是互補，而不是相互取代，行人需要一個實體的、步行的行人步道，它不是用一個綠色的油漆塗一塗。」

民代直指，人口數是台灣6倍的日本，去年1年交通死亡人數2636人，台灣則是有近3000人死亡；而台灣今年1至11月道路交通死亡人數，又較去年上升。對此交通部長王國材回應，對於交通事故較多的5縣市，已和地方政府聯手來擬定對策，針對道路不安全的部分，交通部已著手修法，要提高「未禮讓行人」的罰鍰金額。

交通部長王國材指出：「《道路交通管理處罰條例》第44條修正案，不禮讓行人部分將有重罰，會從3600元提高至6000元罰鍰。」

交通部表示，過去市區道路設計都是以「車」為本，現在逐步改善，確實還有很多不足，將會持續努力。