A slew of new traffic regulations, mostly aimed at bicyles and other “slow vehicles,” took effect on Tuesday after the Legislative Yuan approved amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) in May.
Under the new rules, cyclists or people riding other “slow vehicles” who fail to yield to the visually impaired, including those carrying a white walking stick or with a seeing-eye dog, near a crossing or when making a turn, can be fined NT$2,400 to NT$7,200 (US$77 to US$232), double the previous amount.
Meanwhile, cyclists or people riding “slow vehicles” who fail to yield to the visually impaired on crosswalks or sidewalks can be fined NT$600 to NT$1,200, also double the previous amount, and those whose failure to yield causes injury or death can be fined NT$1,200 to NT$2,400.
Motorists who fail to signal before making a turn or changing lanes can be fined NT$1,200 to NT$3,600, an increase from the previous NT$900 to NT$1,200.
Electric bicycle riders who fail to wear a helmet can be fined NT$300, while a person riding an electric bicycle at more than 25kph can be fined NT$900 to NT$1,800.
People riding electric bicycles that have been modified without authorization can be fined NT$1,800 to NT$5,400 under the new rules.
People who obstruct traffic on roads face a fine of NT$1,200 to NT$2,400, while those who block a zebra crossing face a fine of NT$3,000 to NT$6,000.
People who obstruct traffic by stacking objects on a zebra crossing can be fined NT$3,000 to NT$6,000, and face a fine double that amount if the offense causes injury or death.
The fuel surcharge on tour buses has also been suspended for one year. It is estimated the new measure would save the average tour bus owner about NT$27,000 a year, benefit 16,357 vehicles and reduce government revenue by about NT$435 million, the ministry said.
Taiwan was listed in 14th place among the world's wealthiest country in terms of GDP per capita, in the latest rankings released on Monday by Forbes magazine. Taiwan's GDP per capita was US$76,860, which put it at No. 14 on the list of the World's 100 Richest Countries this year, one spot above Hong Kong with US$75,130. The magazine's list of the richest countries in the world is compiled based on GDP per capita data, as estimated by the IMF. However, for a more precise measure of a nation's wealth, the magazine also considers purchasing power parity, which is a metric used to
Renovations on the B3 concourse of Taipei Main Station are to begin on Nov. 1, with travelers advised to use entrances near the Taiwan Railway or high-speed rail platforms or information counter to access the MRT’s Red Line. Construction is to be completed before the end of next year, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp said last week. To reduce the impact on travelers, the NT$95 million (US$2.95 million) project is to be completed in four stages, it said. In the first stage, the hall leading to the Blue Line near the art exhibition area is to be closed from Nov. 1 to the end
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WARNING: Domestic coffee producers mainly grow arabica beans, as they self-pollinate, but they are more likely to have consistency issues, an expert said Taiwan ranks third in coffee consumption per capita in Asia, the latest Ministry of Agriculture data showed. Taiwanese consume 1.77kg, or 177 cups of coffee, per person each year, less only than Japan and South Korea, at 600 cups and 400 cups respectively, the ministry’s Tea and Beverage Research Station said. Although the nation mainly relies on imported coffee, there has been an increase in home-grown coffee bean production, the ministry said. Cuttings and other techniques are commonly used to ensure domestic beans have stronger floral and fruity flavors, it said. It is a fast-expanding market with Taiwan’s coffee consumption
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