The nation’s traffic problems seem to have lingered for many years, and public dissatisfaction is growing louder. From persistently high numbers of traffic accident casualties to inconveniences for pedestrians and poorly maintained road surfaces, there are major problems for everyone.
It is well known that Taiwan’s roads are quite unfriendly to pedestrians, even earning the label “pedestrian hell” in foreign media.
Sidewalk planning is inadequate, arcades are cluttered with obstacles and occupied by scooters, and vehicles of different sizes all travel together. Especially in bustling urban areas, walking requires constant vigilance.
Furthermore, potholes and patched roads are everywhere, not only affecting driving comfort, but also increasing accident risks. Compared with neighboring countries like Japan, Taiwan lacks sufficient efforts in this regard.
Behind the public grievances lie many deep problems that require repeated examination. For a long time, Taiwan’s traffic safety education and promotions have been glaringly insufficient, leading to a lack of awareness of law among the public. Whether it is pedestrians jaywalking or drivers recklessly cutting across traffic, it reflects the general public’s inadequate understanding of the issue.
At the same time, some have questioned loopholes in the driver’s license system. The examination standards are too simple, and the training is a mere formality, unable to simulate real conditions. Considering a large time gap for license renewals, it is doubtful whether the evaluation of drivers’ abilities is sufficiently thorough.
Members of the public also frequently criticize road design in Taiwan. For instance, excessively wide shoulders encourage illegal parking, and improper traffic segregation leads to mixed vehicle-pedestrian flows, forcing drivers to violate rules. These designs are clearly not human-centric.
The public has called on the government to thoroughly review the situation and promote comprehensive reforms. Whether it is education, licensing, enforcement or facility planning, authorities should re-examine past practices, tackle root causes and collaborate across all sectors.
On the part of the public, there is a need to self-reflect on habits, and to advocate for a friendly and trusting traffic culture.
As someone who has commuted between Tainan and Kaohsiung by scooter for many years, I often face dangerous situations, such as other drivers cutting me off, illegal parking blocking the road, not stopping at a red light, and even getting honked at for driving carefully and allegedly obstructing traffic — it is truly distressing.
Despite authorities’ efforts in improving signal systems and adding scooter lanes, the road to reform remains arduous, and unilateral actions alone cannot achieve comprehensive results. To improve the situation, the government must continue its efforts, while the public also contributes to a solution, with mutual understanding and respect.
Most people have tried at some point to dangerously speed up and weave through traffic to save time. However, after experiencing a serious accident involving family members, I realized the importance of safe driving.
I hope for a day when we no longer have to risk our lives on the road just to get around. If the government and the public fight side by side, they can definitely untangle this long-standing chaos, and create a safe and orderly traffic, allowing everyone in Taiwan to experience every journey in comfort.
Wang Yi-chieh is a student in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
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