Taipei, Aug. 14 (CNA) Point-to-point speed measurement will be enforced in Taipei's Tzu Chiang Tunnel from Sept. 1 and those driving at a speed of more than 60 kilometers per hour in the tunnel could be fined between NT$1,600 (US$51) and NT$24,000, the Taipei City Police Department (TCPD) said Tuesday.
Speed cameras have been installed at both ends of the tunnel connecting Taipei's Shilin and Zhongshan districts to detect speeding offenses, a move that will start in September, said Chen Ming-chih (陳明志), commander of the TCPD's Traffic Police Corps.
The speed limit inside the 900-meter tunnel is 60 kph and people who drive faster than that will be subject to fines of between NT$1,600 and NT$24,000, depending on their speed, the TCPD said, citing the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act.
Drivers caught traveling at between 60 kph and 80 kph will be fined NT$1,600, those traveling between 80 kph and 100 kph will be fined NT$1,800, those driving between 100 kph and 120 kph will be fined NT$2,000, those traveling between 120 kph and 140 kph will be fined NT$8,000, those driving between 140 kph and 160 kph will be fined NT$12,000, and those driving faster than 160 kph will be fined NT$24,000, according to the regulations.
The TCPD decided to carry out point-to-point speed measurement for the Tzu Chiang Tunnel in light of a serious traffic accident last year when 24-year-old driver Yu Han-ning (游瀚甯) sped into the tunnel in his Lambhorgini and ploughed into two stationary repair trucks, the head of the Traffic Police Corps said.
That accident led to the deaths of a road worker and Yu's passenger, as well as three severe injuries.
The TCPD is also installing speed cameras for the Xin Hai Tunnel (辛亥隧道), connecting Taipei's Daan and Wenshan districts, and the speed measurement there is expected to start by the end of 2019, Chen said.
(By Chi Jo-yao)
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