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.
The US House of Representatives yesterday passed the PROTECT Taiwan Act, which stipulates that Washington would exclude China from participating in major global financial organizations if its actions directly threaten Taiwan’s security. The bill, proposed by Republican US Representative Frank Lucas, passed with 395 votes in favor and two against. It stipulates that if China’s actions pose any threat to Taiwan’s security, economic or social systems, the US would, “to the maximum extent practicable,” exclude China from international financial institutions, including the G20, the Bank for International Settlements and the Financial Stability Board. The bill makes it clear that China
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A KFC branch in Kaohsiung may be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$200 million (US$1,907 and US$6.37 million), after a customer yesterday found an entire AAA battery inside an egg tart, the Kaohsiung Department of Health said today. The customer was about to microwave a box of egg tarts they had bought at the fast-food restaurant’s Nanzih (楠梓) branch when they checked the bottom and saw a dark shadow inside one of them, they said in a Threads post. The customer filmed themself taking the egg tart apart to reveal an entire AAA battery inside, which apparently showed signs of damage. Surveillance footage showed
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