TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New signs, signals, and markings for pedestrian priority zones will be enacted on Tuesday (Oct. 1). 

In line with the Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facilities Act (行人交通安全設施條例), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has amended the regulations for road traffic signs, markings, and signals. This includes adding start and end signs for pedestrian priority zones, which are square-shaped with a blue background, white text, and white symbols, per Liberty Times. 

The act was passed in the Legislative Yuan's third reading in April. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has released a draft of the enforcement rules, stipulating that pedestrian priority zones must have specific signs and markings at intersections, vehicle speeds must not exceed 20 kph, and honking is prohibited.

According to MOI officials, speeding in pedestrian priority zones can be penalized under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). Regular speeding violations carry fines between NT$1,200 (US$38) and NT$2,400, while exceeding the speed limit by 40 kph or more is considered "serious speeding," which results in fines between NT$6,000 and NT$36,000.

Chu Ta-ching (朱大慶), head of the MOTC's road development department, said the ministry has revised the road traffic signs, markings, and signals to align with the new law, incorporating the start and end signs for pedestrian priority zones. Given the amendments' urgency, Chu said anyone with comments or suggestions for revisions can submit their opinions before the public notice period ends on Oct. 19.

The regulations for road traffic signs, markings, and signals also include revisions related to gridline markings. Under the previous rules, vehicles were prohibited from parking within the gridline area. 

However, a new rule has been added prohibiting vehicles from even stopping within the gridline area to ensure the area remains clear.