Taoyuan incidents bring back attention to pedestrian safety

Taoyuan incidents bring back attention to pedestrian safety

2026-08-04

Taiwan is struggling to shake off its reputation as a “pedestrian hell.” Two separate incidents in Taoyuan have brought back attention to the matter of pedestrian safety. In one, a flatbed truck narrowly missed running over a pedestrian who was crossing the street at a zebra crossing. In the other one, a woman was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage after she was hit by a city bus, also at a zebra crossing.

One moment, a woman is crossing the road at a busy intersection. The next, she’s sent flying onto the asphalt by a bus turning left at a green light.

Hsieh Kuang-chih
Police officer
The bus driver, Mr. Cheng, was making a left turn when he collided with Ms. Hsueh, who was walking on the zebra crossing. Ms. Hsueh sustained injuries including a brain hemorrhage.

The incident happened in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District, when a bus servicing the L209 line turned left from Xinsheng Road onto Huanbei Road. Its driver, Mr. Cheng, failed to yield to the pedestrian, Ms. Hsueh, whose relatives claim he sped up and only hit the brakes after the crash.

Ms. Hsueh, 28, was sent to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage. Mr. Cheng, who had a blood alcohol content of zero, is now facing a fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crossing resulting in injury.

A similar incident took place at the intersection between Longshou Street and Zhonghua Road in Bade District. A flatbed truck making a right turn didn’t stop or yield to pedestrians at a zebra crossing, speeding past at barely a few inches away from them.

- Honk!
- I’ll report him for you!
- I’ll report him for you!

The truck went for the turn, almost causing a crash at the crossing. Fortunately, the pedestrian closest to the truck reacted quickly and jumped back in shock. The motorist who witnessed the near-miss was outraged, and pledged to report the truck driver on behalf of the pedestrians.

Chen Chien-ming
Police officer
Drivers who fail to yield and stop for pedestrians at a crossing face fines of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

Taiwan has gained a reputation internationally as a “pedestrian hell.” Even though the government raised penalties for failing to yield to a maximum fine of NT$6,000, it seems Taiwan still has a long way to go in terms of pedestrian safety.

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