Enhancing traffic enforcement at intersections without traffic lights is to be the next phase in efforts to improve pedestrian safety, Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said on Monday.
Wang made the comments to reporters before attending a session of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, where they were to discuss a draft traffic safety basic act.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications in June began enhancing enforcement of pedestrian yielding laws, with drivers of cars subject to a maximum fine of NT$6,000 for failing to yield.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Although the ministry says its efforts have shown improvement in pedestrian safety, a Facebook post on Sunday by a foreign resident saying they were nearly struck by a scooter making an illegal right turn on red has inspired renewed public backlash.
Wang told reporters that the ministry has been working to improve the problem since the beginning of the year through traffic enforcement and infrastructure improvements.
There has already been a significant safety improvement at intersections with traffic lights, but many vehicles are still failing to yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled intersections, he said.
Wang said he two weeks ago had a discussion with the National Police Agency about designating uncontrolled intersections as the next target for enforcement in the hopes of “quickly cleansing the ‘pedestrian hell’ stigma.”
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