When the traffic light turns red and you find more than ten cars in front of you but only one or two cars in the adjacent lane, will you swerve into the less crowded lane? The answer from most Taiwan drivers is, "Of course!" But in Germany, very few driver would do so. In many developed countries, vehicles invariably slow down once a pedestrian steps onto a crosswalk. Despite this, I continue to be overcome with fear while crossing the road in foreign countries.
Back in Taiwan, people walking with me frequently start crossing the road before the light turns green, leaving me waiting for the green light like an idiot. Why? Does Taiwan have different traffic rules?
For several decades, Taiwan has been shouting slogans about instilling respect for the law. But, the slogans remain slogans. The shaping of a law-abiding spirit remains an elusive ideal. Why? It is because our laws and regulations are problematic. They are either bad laws or they are incompatible with Taiwan society and culture.
For example, the law stipulates that one should stop when the light turns red. But most people think that the traffic signals are for reference only and that one stops only when a vehicle is coming. Another possibility is that the laws are not vigorously enforced. There is considerable asymmetry between Taiwan's laws and the culture of the society they are supposed to protect, making it difficult to establish a deep-rooted respect for the law.
For example, a law that prohibits stealing would be unenforceable in a community where 90 out of 100 people were thieves. To shape law-abiding citizens, we must engage in educational, cultural and even economic reforms to bring societal values more closely in tune with the values that the law expounds.
Taiwan is a society that lacks respect for other individuals and a deeper understanding for human rights. Drivers do not respect the rights of pedestrians, and vice versa. They treat the land they live on the same way. People dump waste into rivers, knowing that the waste is toxic and pollutes the water. Knowing that trees are important in water and land conservation, they nevertheless chop down trees without a qualm.
Selfishness and a lack of ethics are also reasons why law and order remain ideals only. An old Chinese saying puts it best, "everyone only sweeps the snow in front of his or her house" and does not give a damn about the snow in front of others' houses. On top of this is the fact that Taiwanese are so good at finding loopholes to stay ahead of laws.
The distance between laws and society makes the institution of a stronger respect for the law look like a mission impossible. However, social milieus and habits can be changed, even though it does take time. Only a few years ago, people in Taipei City dumped garbage everywhere. Now the "no garbage on the ground" policy has been remarkably successful.
Through education and promotion in the mass media, the gap between law and culture can gradually close. With vigorous enforcement, repect for the law will no longer be a slogan. I look forward to the day when walking on a pedestrian crossing is no longer a frightening experience, when we may see through to the bottom of our rivers, when mountain slopes are green and mudslides no longer occur. That place will neither be called the United States nor Germany. It will be called Taiwan.
Sandy Shih is a member of the working committee of the Judicial Reform Foundation.
Translated by Francis Huang.
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