TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese scooter riders are advocating for improved road safety measures, the removal of the two-stage left turn rule, and the right to use the fast lane.
There are 14 million scooters in Taiwan, and scooter accident deaths account for more than half of all traffic accident deaths.
Under the current rule, the design of the two-stage left turn requires scooters to ride in the outer lane.
An online survey showed that 66% of respondents favored eliminating the two-stage left-turn regulation, while 34% voted to keep the current law.
Historically, staying away from the fast lanes was considered safer for scooter riders, but this caused interference with other vehicles and pedestrians on the outer lane. Moreover, Taiwan's road design has traditionally focused on cars, with little consideration for scooter riders.
In April, Transportation Minister Wang Kuo-tsai announced that the government plans to phase out the two-stage left turn.
Experts recommend setting up demonstration roads to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these measures before implementing them on a larger scale.
Only time and data can determine whether the changes in traffic regulations are effective in reducing traffic accidents.
Ultimately, the success of these regulations will depend on their ability to enhance road safety while ensuring efficient and convenient transportation for all road users.
