A traffic official yesterday downplayed negative reaction to the National Police Adminstration's new enforcement campaign on the Sun Yat-sen Freeway, saying that there has also been positive public feedback.
"What have been reflected in media reports are mostly negative comments regarding this new enforcement plan, which aims to protect the rights of safe drivers," Chen You-chin (
PHOTO: CHU PEI-TEH, TAIPEI TIMES
The adminstration's 24-hour, stricter enforcement campaign, which began Monday, levies a NT$3,000 fine for five different traffic offenses.
Chen said that by executing the new plan, the government also wishes to improve helicopter patrols, which are already used to provide assistance in the case of major crimes or accidents.
Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (
"There are simply too many accidents taking place on that highway," Su said. "I don't think anyone will oppose the idea of a stricter traffic law enforcement plan. The details of the plan's execution can definitely be further discussed with related authorities and adjustments can be made."
Su said that using helicopters to spot individual traffic violators might be an ideal strategy, but is not realistic.
"Many people think that the helicopters are used to make arrests of drivers who violate traffic regulations," Su said. "But in reality, how can arrests be done in mid-air? Helicopters can tip off ground patrol about what is going on from an aerial perspective, but actual arrest from the air is not practical," said Su.
Su explained that the main function of the air patrols is to provide real time traffic reports and aid in major crimes, accidents or other incidents on the road.
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