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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 Traffic violation demerit system updated
A man walks past scooters parked on a sidewalk in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA
NO CASH: Members of the public would no longer be rewarded for reporting minor traffic offenses such as smoking while riding a motorcycle or parking improperly
By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
The Executive Yuan yesterday approved amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act （道路交通管理處罰條例） and a series of supporting measures, stipulating that drivers who commit “minor traffic violations” listed in the act would not receive demerit points and people would not be able to receive cash rewards for reporting minor violations.
Minor traffic violations refer to offenses that incur a fine of NT$1,200 or less.
They include not wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle; talking on a mobile device while riding a motorcycle; smoking while riding a motorcycle or driving; and not heeding pedestrians when reversing.
Others are not having a guide when reversing large vehicles; stopping large vehicles on bridges, sidewalks, fast lanes, pedestrian crossings or in tunnels; and parking vehicles at intersections, within 10m of a public bus stop or 5m from a fire hydrant.
Other minor offenses include double-parking or parking against the flow of traffic; parking on bridges, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, at crossroads, in tunnels, within 10m of public bus stops or within 5m of the entrance of a fire station; parking at entrances to airports, railway stations, ports, schools, entertainment venues, exhibition centers, stadiums, markets or in front of fire hydrants; and parking in spaces designated for use by disabled people.
The amendments were proposed to appease anger after the government on June 30 last year introduced a demerit points system to punish people who repeatedly commit traffic violations, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said.
While the system has helped to reduce deaths from traffic accidents, reports of illegal parking surged, while demerit points were being given out at a great rate, the ministry said.
As people who accumulate 12 points in a 12-month period face suspension of their license for two months, some professional drivers complained that the system had affected their right to work, it said.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
