Pedestrian safety rules pass legislature
WALK WITHOUT WORRY: If walkways are not level, local governments can order them to be rebuilt and pedestrian-friendly spaces must be established near congested areas
The Legislative Yuan yesterday approved regulations aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety as part of efforts to redeem Taiwan’s reputation as a “living hell” for pedestrians.
The Regulations on Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facilities (行人交通安全設施條例) require central and local governments to develop guidelines to enhance pedestrian safety by building, improving and maintaining safe, unobstructed and continuous pedestrian spaces along sidewalks.
Under the new rules, if local government officials find sidewalks or walkways obstructed by fixed equipment such as transformer boxes or other objects, they must notify the responsible party in writing and give them at least three months to resolve the issue.
Failure to comply within the specified period can result in a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$150,000 (US$923 to US$4,617).
In addition, if covered or uncovered walkways are not level, local governments can order them to be rebuilt.
If there are unauthorized changes that impede pedestrian traffic after the rebuilding process, those who made the changes would be required to change the walkway back within a fixed period or face a fine of NT$5,000 to NT$25,000.
Meanwhile, local governments are required to establish pedestrianfriendly spaces near congested areas such as medical institutions, schools and public transport stops, and to install sidewalks on roads of a certain width.
The regulation focuses on redesigning the layout of roads, connecting sidewalks, increasing pedestrian spaces, and removing obstacles from roads and accessible facilities, Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said in a statement.
The central government has launched a four-year NT$40 billion project to improve pedestrian safety, he said.
These measures were in part a reaction to an CNN article published in December 2022, titled “Taiwan’s ‘living hell’ traffic is a tourism problem, say critics.” It focused on the dangers posed to drivers and pedestrians.
One blogger cited in the story titled one of his Facebook posts “Taiwan is a living hell for pedestrians,” referring to the many objects that block sidewalks if they exist at all.
The article also referenced warnings issued by countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan and the US, on the condition of Taiwan’s roads.