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Rash of new measures, increases to take effect
HEADS UP:
Traffic violators, environmentally insensitive types and energy hogs are advised to take note of a number of new regulations that take effect from today
By Shelley Shan
STAFF REPORTER, WITH CNA
Saturday, Jul 01, 2006, Page 2
Several measures take effect today, including revised penalties for certain traffic violations, new environmental regulations and increases to electricity charges.
However, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has decided to postpone the implementation of certain regulations until January next year, such as those providing for penalties for motorists with small children who fail to install safety seats or leave children under six years of age unattended, as well as those who make improper use of car headlights or fail to switch them on when it is dark.
The amended traffic regulations dictate that motorists should be given warnings for minor violations, and be able to pay fines in installments if necessary.
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), mean-while, will begin fining manufacturers of pastries, cosmetics, wines and CDs/DVDs who over-package products.
The EPA has estimated that the new policy will eliminate 2,600 tonnes of waste per year.
Catching fish and shellfish in the Kenting National Park will also be banned from today. A spokesman for the EPA said the ban would help to prevent the national park's marine resources from being depleted.
The spokesman warned that those violating the National Park Law (國家公園法) would be subject to a NT$3,000 fine for a first offence, and that second and third-time offenders would face fines of NT$9,000 and NT$15,000 respectively.
Also today, the Department of Health will expand its "clean syringe program" for intravenous drug users to cover the entire country in an effort to reduce HIV transmission.
Finally, Taipower will implement two separate rate plans each for both households and industrial users.
Until today, the nation's power tariffs had not been raised for the past 23 years, but have been lowered 11 times during the same period, with an average rate of decline of 26.1 percent, according to Taipower.
The last price increase occurred in 1983.
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