Discover Formosa - Beautiful Island

For Taiwan Gold Card holders relocating to Taiwan, it can be an exhilarating adventure with risk to safety. Newcomers arriving under the “gold card” scheme from countries with strong pedestrian safety protocols may find Taiwan's traffic shocking. This piece will examine pedestrian safety, recent legislative measures, and their effectiveness.

Legislative Context

In December 2022, the Traffic Management and Penalty Act was amended: drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks face fines up to NT$6,000, escalating to NT$36,000 for injury or death, potentially leading to license revocation. 

Moreover, from March 31, 2023, small and large vehicles that do not yield face fines of NT$3,600, while scooter riders face a reduced penalty of NT$1,200. 

On paper, the law has tightened, emphasizing that pedestrians at crosswalks are legally protected. But are these changes effective?

Evidence from Recent Incidents

Sadly, evidence shows that the legal changes have not yet immediately translated into a safer reality.

In June 2023, a woman in central Taiwan was struck by the 25th vehicle that failed to yield to her while she was on a zebra crossing, despite waiting patiently. The first 24 vehicles, whether cars or scooters, had already passed without stopping. Woman needed emergency care in the hospital.

This incident raises critical questions: Why do drivers ignore pedestrian laws? Why are scooter fines significantly lower than car fines?

Another common traffic offense involving a yellow taxi failing to yield to a pedestrian at a zebra crossing in Taiwan is shown in the sequence picture.

• In the first frame, the pedestrian stands at the crosswalk as the taxi approaches. 
• In the second frame, the pedestrian steps onto the crossing, but the taxi keeps moving. 
• The third frame captures the taxi blocking the pedestrian's path, forcing a sudden stop. 
• In the final frame, the taxi passes by without yielding, while nearby scooter riders witness the incident.

For those from countries with strict pedestrian right-of-way rules, this discrepancy is shocking. Many Taiwanese motorists, especially scooter riders, seem conditioned to prioritize their own passage, expecting pedestrians to yield instead of stopping for safe crossing. Additionally, law enforcement is inconsistent, as the sheer volume of vehicles and crossings complicates reliable monitoring.

The reduced fine for scooter riders (NT$1,200) versus car drivers (NT$3,600) may suggest these infractions are less serious.

The fine structure and public awareness might need more time to change ingrained behaviors. Gold card residents who are used to orderly pedestrian traffic may find crossings more stressful and erratic than in their home countries.

For gold-card residents, if moving from a country with strict pedestrian rules, remember:

• Don’t expect vehicles to stop at crosswalks; wait for a safe gap.
• Use designated crossings and ensure vehicles stop completely before crossing.
• Be cautious of scooters, as they may not brake easily due to lower fines.
• Local customs change slowly; vehicles still expect pedestrians to yield to cars and scooters first.
• Encourage to prioritize safety at crossings: "wait for vehicles to stop."

As a pedestrain, you will soon realize that the legal right of way often means little in Taiwan. Cars and scooters frequently move forward even when pedestrians begin to cross, with many drivers believing all pedestrians should yield first.

For Gold Card holders from developed countries with good traffic rules, this can be a culture shock, as cars do not stop for pedestrians. In Taiwan, we must wait, look both ways, and proceed only when confident drivers see us. This can also be impossible when cars have black tainted windows.

Taiwan is a country with warm people, but seriously, its road safety requires improvement.  A world-class society protects its citizens at every intersection, not just in other countries.

Hosana wishes you to Stay safe, Walk safely.