MOTC to target uncontrolled intersections in traffic safety

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Law enforcement will intensify its focus on uncontrolled intersections in the next wave of safety efforts, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).

"I have discussed with Director-General Huang of the National Police Agency the possibility of concentrating law enforcement on vehicles that fail to yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled intersections," MOTC Minister Wang Kwo-tsai said on Monday (Nov. 6).

The government has enhanced regulations and increased fines to improve traffic safety in Taiwan. Starting June 30 this year, drivers who do not yield to pedestrians will be subject to fines of NT＄6,000.

Since the enforcement of the new law, controlled intersections, which are regulated by traffic control signs or signals, have seen improvements.

However, uncontrolled intersections continue to experience high accident rates.

In 2022, Taipei's uncontrolled intersections witnessed 6,242 traffic accidents, leading to 11 deaths and 8,280 injuries. In 2023 so far, there have been 5,078 accidents, resulting in 6 fatalities and 6,870 injuries.

With the announcement of the new enforcement focus, the government is committing to its goal of zero traffic accident-related fatalities.