TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Eight minor traffic violations will no longer be subject to public reporting this weekend, while five infractions can still be submitted to authorities.

The Legislative Yuan on May 14 passed amendments to stop the public reporting of several minor traffic violations. Among the changes, eight minor traffic violations, including double parking, with lesser fines, will no longer be open to public reporting and the Cabinet said this will take effect on Sunday (June 30).

Last June, new traffic regulations allowed the public to report 13 traffic violations, leading to opposition from professional drivers such as taxi drivers due to stricter point systems. On March 7, the Cabinet approved draft amendments proposed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), which excluded 10 minor violations that incurred fines of NT$1,200 (US$37) or less from public reporting. 

The third reading of amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) passed the legislature excluding 8 traffic infractions, but retaining categories such as riding scooters without helmets, parking violations on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and occupying designated parking spaces for the disabled. 

According to the MOTC, the eight minor violations that will no longer be open to public reporting include:

1.Talking on a mobile phone while riding a scooter

2.Drivers holding, smoking, or lighting a cigarette in a manner that endangers the safety of others on the road

3.Reversing without displaying lights or paying attention to pedestrians, and reversing large vehicles without someone guiding from behind

4.Temporary parking on bridges, in tunnels, at roundabouts, opposite obstacles, on covered sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or on expressways and temporary parking scooters on sidewalks

5.Temporary parking at intersections, within 10 meters of bus stops, and within five meters of fire station entrances

6. Double parking

7.Parking on bridges, in tunnels, at roundabouts, opposite obstacles, under arcades, on expressways, at intersections, on pedestrian crossings, within 10 meters of bus stops, or within 5 meters of fire station entrances and parking motorcycles on sidewalks.

8.Parking at airports, stations, docks, schools, entertainment venues, exhibition centers, sports facilities, markets, or other public places, and in front of fire hydrants

Despite the new regulations, five minor traffic violations will still be open to public reporting:

1.Scooter drivers or passengers not wearing helmets as required

2.Illegal parking in spaces designated for the disabled

3.Temporary parking of vehicles with more than four wheels on sidewalks or pedestrian crossings outside of covered sidewalks

4.Temporary parking against the flow of traffic

5.Parking of vehicles with more than four wheels on sidewalks or pedestrian crossings outside of covered sidewalks

The MOTC said that while certain minor violations are no longer open to public reporting, this will not reduce the intensity of law enforcement or create loopholes. Drivers who violate traffic regulations will still be subject to fines and, depending on the severity, may also face mandatory traffic safety classes, penalty points, suspension, or revocation of their driver's licenses.