Advocates of road safety and pedestrian rights yesterday said they would organize a series of protests across the nation before gathering for a big march in Taipei next week to express their anger over the Executive Yuan’s decision to ease punishments for 10 traffic violations.
Citing the heavy burden placed on police by skyrocketing reports of traffic violations, the Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications that motorists who commit “minor traffic violations” listed in the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例) would not receive demerit points and people would not be able to receive cash rewards for reporting them.
Minor traffic violations refer to offenses that incur a fine of NT$1,200 or less.
Photo: Wu Liang-yi, Taipei Times
They include talking on a mobile phone when riding a scooter, reversing a large vehicle without a guide at the rear, reversing a vehicle without paying attention to pedestrians, parking within 5m of fire truck entrances and exits, parking in front of fire hydrants, illegally parking in designated spaces for the disabled, and smoking or lighting cigarettes while driving.
Taiwan Vision Zero Alliance director Chen Kai-ning (陳愷寧) demanded that the Cabinet retract the changes.
“Why is the Cabinet pushing these changes, which infringe on the basic right of survival for people with disabilities?” she asked.
Chen said the group would be joined by Taiwan Safety Drivers Watch, Taiwan Traffic Safety Association, Taiwan Association for Disability Rights, Student Pedestrian Union, Taiwan Police Union and Taipei Taxidrivers Union for “flash mob” actions on the streets at 10am on Sunday in major cities, including Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Yunlin, Tainan and Kaohsiung.
This would be followed by a large march through Taipei’s major streets the following Sunday, Chen said.
“We demand that the government listen to the voice of the people... This easing of traffic violations is incomprehensible, so we ask lawmakers from the three major parties to block these unreasonable amendments,” she said.
The advocates also outlined several issues, including how most violations and mishaps occur at intersections, illegal parking on slow lanes and walkways, and the need for elderly people and bad drivers to take retraining courses.
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