TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taipei City councilor said pedestrians have been fined for entering crosswalks when the walk signal is flashing during the green light phase, prompting the city to review pedestrian signal timing at all intersections.
KMT Taipei City Councilor Chan Wei-yuan (詹為元) said a recent incident in Taichung, where a pedestrian ran across a crosswalk after the “little green man” began flashing and was ticketed by a patrol officer, sparked online debate, per CNA. Many questioned why crossing on a green light could still be considered a violation.
Chan said the case highlights a gap between the law and public perception. Most people assume that a green walk signal means they can start crossing, and that flashing simply means they should hurry.
However, under traffic signal regulations, the flashing phase is meant to warn pedestrians already on the crosswalk to speed up or wait at a pedestrian refuge island. It does not permit pedestrians to begin crossing once the flashing begins.
He said pedestrians who step onto the crosswalk once the signal is flashing may therefore be fined. At the intersection of Songgao Road and City Hall Road next to Taipei City Hall, for example, the walk signal starts flashing as soon as the traffic light turns green.
Chan said the intersection does not provide the required steady green walk phase, meaning pedestrians may encounter a flashing signal no matter when they start crossing. This leaves them without any legally valid time to enter the crosswalk, he added.
He said pedestrians following traffic signals is fundamental to road safety, and if there is no legal time to begin crossing, the city must review its signal settings and management. He urged Taipei to adjust pedestrian signal timing and build a more pedestrian-centered traffic environment.
The Taipei City Traffic Engineering Office’s Traffic Control Center said the default flashing duration at city intersections is seven seconds. Depending on the number of turning vehicles and the width of each intersection, the center will consider adjusting timing to ensure pedestrians can safely clear the crossing.
The center added that Taipei will extend flashing periods at larger intersections where needed and conduct a citywide review to prevent situations where the pedestrian signal is flashing continuously throughout the green walk phase.
