TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of the Interior on Thursday (Aug. 1) released a preview of proposed enforcement rules on regulations meant to improve pedestrian safety.

In April, the Legislative Yuan passed the third reading of the Regulations on Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facilities (行人交通安全設施條例) that stipulates central and local governments must formulate plans for promoting and improving pedestrian traffic safety. A draft of the enforcement rules for the regulations posted on Thursday listed speed limits for pedestrian areas and maximum fines for exceeding these limits that will go into effect on Oct. 1. 

The draft rules stipulate areas around places with high pedestrian traffic should be designated as "pedestrian-friendly zones" with a speed limit of 30 km/h, including government offices, schools, medical institutions, child and youth welfare organizations, after-school care centers, early childhood education institutions, elderly welfare facilities, public transportation hubs, commercial districts, markets, and similar locations. When cities and counties designate such zones, they must make a public announcement for 30 days and hold an explanatory meeting.

It also called for "pedestrian-priority zones," which refer to a road section designated by city or county authorities where pedestrians have priority. In these zones, the entire width of the road is available for pedestrian use and drivers must slow down when passing through these zones, ensuring they do not endanger pedestrians or obstruct their passage. If necessary, drivers must stop and wait for pedestrians to cross, and pedestrians should not obstruct vehicular traffic.

Proposed safety measures in pedestrian-priority zones include installing dedicated signs and markings at intersections, setting a speed limit of no more than 20 km/h, constructing speed bumps, and using different colors or materials for road surfaces at both ends of the zone to remind drivers to slow down and watch for pedestrians. Drivers are prohibited from honking at pedestrians in these zones.

Drivers caught speeding in pedestrian-friendly and priority zones will be punished under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例), with fines ranging from NT$1,200 (US$36) to NT$2,400 for exceeding the speed limit. Severe speeding, exceeding 40 km/h, will result in fines ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$36,000, and the driver's license will be immediately suspended.

According to the draft, urban development zones that have built roads 12 meters or wider but lack sidewalks must submit phased plans for approval by the central government. Sidewalks may be installed based on actual needs for roads less than 12 meters wide with covered or uncovered walkways. 

City and county authorities are required by law to conduct surveys on the environment for pedestrians, covering both urban development areas and densely populated areas outside these zones. The surveys should focus on roads without sidewalks, sidewalks that are too narrow or obstructed, areas with frequent traffic accidents involving pedestrians, and areas with a high density of pedestrians.