Following criticism of a proposal that would fine the owners of parked vehicles deemed “too dirty,” the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said on Monday it would hold a public hearing on the issue on May 12.
Under the EPA-drafted measures on the promotion of environmental health and beautification, people would be legally required to keep their cars clean and tend to the area around their homes. Failure to comply would result in a fine of between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000.
If approved, people would be responsible for a 2m space adjacent to their homes, while drivers could be fined for parking haphazardly or leaving excessively dirty cars outdoors.
The proposal has drawn public complaints.
Huang Wan-chu (黃萬居), an EPA technical superintendent and part of the team that drafted the measures said his team proposed the bill after studying similar regulations in Japan and Singapore.
In those countries, cities were judged cleaner and more beautiful after enacting similar regulations, Huang said, adding that once society evolves to a certain point, it develops an aesthetic need for cleanliness.
Huang said he believes Taiwan will eventually develop that need.
If the public thinks the draft regulations are unreasonable, the legislature will make the necessary amendments, he said.
Elected officials and representatives of the government will be invited to participate in the upcoming hearing.
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