The first reading for amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例), increasing fines for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians and revoking licenses of those who cause a pedestrian death by failing to yield, was yesterday approved by the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee.
The approval came after a CNN report headlined “Critics say Taiwan’s ‘living hell traffic’ is a tourism problem.”
The act states that vehicles not yielding to pedestrians could face a fine ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$3,600.
Photo: Cheng Shu-ting, Taipei Times
The amendments increase the maximum fine to NT$6,000, while allowing police to act on tips from civilians who call in with reports of witnessed offenses.
Causing injury or death by failing to yield to pedestrians is to be punishable by a fine ranging from NT$7,200 to NT$36,000, while those who injure a pedestrian are to have their license suspended for one year.
The amendment states that a driver who causes severe injury or death would have their driver’s license revoked.
In addition, the amendments state that if a vehicle component, equipment or other parts fall while in operation, the driver could face a fine ranging from NT$1,000 to NT$6,000. The owner of the vehicle would be required to make repairs before the vehicle is allowed to return to the road.
The amendments also increase the range of offenses for which civilians can report drivers, including not carrying a temporary passage certificate; if they drive at unauthorized times or on unauthorized routes; parking illegally on bridges, in tunnels, in roundabouts, on the sidewalk, or on pedestrian crossings; or using designated lanes improperly.
Civilians can also report vehicles for parking in areas that forbid temporary parking and can also report vehicles carrying children without child safety seats, the amendment states.
Drivers caught driving without a license could be fined up to NT$24,000, up from NT$12,000.
See ’Living Hell’ on Page 8
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