TAIPEI (TVBS News) — From June 30 to August 7, the New Taipei City Police Department received 4,959 reports of vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians, a significant increase of 3,408 cases from the same period last year.
Authorities have tightened regulations on vehicles' obligation to yield to pedestrians to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce traffic accidents. According to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, fines of up to NT＄6,000 (US＄215) can be imposed for violations.
Since January, there have been nine pedestrian fatalities and 1,534 injuries resulting from traffic accidents, demonstrating a decrease of 11 deaths and 118 injuries compared to the same period in the previous year. This suggests an improvement in drivers' awareness of pedestrian rights.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to stop and penalize violators, employing technological enforcement measures to curb reckless behaviors.
The head of the New Taipei City Traffic Police Corps, Lin Yu-hsin, highlighted the increased enforcement in intersections prone to accidents due to heavy traffic.
The New Taipei City Traffic Police Department urged pedestrians to cross roads swiftly, be vigilant of oncoming vehicles, and refrain from engaging in distractions such as using smartphones. Citizens were also reminded to activate pedestrian crossing signals to uphold road safety.