TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said pedestrian deaths on crossings are a “national disgrace” during an interview discussing traffic safety plans on Wednesday.
In an interview with CNA, Chen said the government plans to target the problem with higher fines and stricter regulations. He said this includes increasing penalties for seriously injuring or killing pedestrians, with a maximum fine of NT$36,000 (US$1,092) and up to five years suspension from driving.
Chen said the government also plans stricter enforcement of rules requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians at crossings. “People being hit and killed when they are using pedestrian crossings is a national disgrace,” he said.
Chen did not give a specific time frame for when the changes would be made. However, he said he would “definitely push for strengthened laws this year.”
Chen said the government also plans to increase the distance between pedestrian crossings and vehicles from 1-3 meters to 2-3 m. “With 1 m of distance, taller cars basically cannot see children using pedestrian crossings,” he said.
Chen said enforcing regulations is even more important than creating them. He said he has seen many cities with less than the required distance between crossings and cars, and this must be improved.
“This is not something the transport ministry can do alone, and we will cooperate with local governments to achieve this. The same goes for intersection lighting,” he said.
Chen said the transport ministry began trialing white colored lights instead of yellow at around 12 intersections this month as they provide better visibility. He said if trials succeed, improved lighting will roll out quickly across Taiwan.
Chen also said car window tinting is unregulated, and new guidelines will be rolled out in May or June to fix this. He said consumers are often sold heavy tints to block the sun, which can be dangerous.
“Around May or June we will release a guide to show people the regulations we have planned for maximum window tinting levels,” Chen said. He said the ministry would then inform manufacturers, and roll out enforcement measures after that.
Chen acknowledged there may be privacy concerns about restricting car window tints. “Privacy is important, but human life is more important,” he said.
