Motorists to face stiffer fines for not yielding to pedestrians

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) unveiled Tuesday amendments to traffic regulations that will increase penalties on motorists who do not give way to pedestrians on crosswalks.

Under the amendments, drivers of small passenger vehicles and large commercial vehicles who fail to yield to pedestrians on crosswalks or at non-signalized intersections will receive a fixed fine of NT$3,600 (US$119.83), up from the current NT$2,000-NT$2,600 and NT$2,800-NT$3,600, respectively.

The fine of NT$1,200-NT$1,500 for motorcyclists who commit the same violation remains unchanged, the MOTC said.

Meanwhile, drivers of small passenger vehicles who fail to yield to visually impaired pedestrians with a white cane or guide dog on a crosswalk will be fined NT$4,800-NT$7,200, up from the current NT$3,600-NT$5,400.

Drivers of large commercial vehicles will receive a fixed fine of NT$7,200, instead of the existing NT$4,500-NT$7,200, the ministry said, while the penalty for motorcyclists who commit the same violation remains unchanged at NT$2,400-NT$3,100.

The MOTC said the stiffer fines represent an effort to punish drivers who do not give way to pedestrians, as Taiwan currently sees an average of about 400 pedestrian fatalities annually.

There will be a one-month preview period for the amendments, starting Tuesday, before the revised regulations come into force, according to the ministry.