TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A viral video by American YouTuber Tristan H. has spotlighted a peculiar crosswalk behavior in Taiwan: people often rush to cross during the last seconds of the green light, only to slow down when the light turns red.
Despite the light-hearted nature of the video, Taiwan is grappling with a much more serious issue: traffic safety. CNN went as far as to label the island a "living hell" for pedestrians, underscoring the urgency of the problem.
In a public response to this crisis, thousands participated in the "Stop Killing Pedestrians" rally on Aug. 20 and called on the government to enact stronger safety measures.
This demand for action is backed by startling statistics.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the first eight months of 2023 saw over 260,000 reported traffic accidents, leading to 1,991 deaths. Notably, 896 of these deaths happened at intersections.
Efforts are underway to tackle this serious issue. Regulations were amended to penalize drivers who don't yield to pedestrians with heftier fines. Local governments are also on board, actively implementing measures to enhance pedestrian safety.