Member's
Viewpoint

Hello Jacksonfive,

How are you doing? I sure hope this month has gone
good for you. Following is my comment about the issue
of being a pedestrian in Taiwan. Looking at the way
people get through traffic from on side of the road to
another is one way to figure out whether the country
is an advanced country or backward country.

You better be very careful to pass through the road in
Taiwan, particularly in suburban area.  The traffic
lights are just for reference. Pedestrians should allow
auto's to go first then motorbikes. You ought to rank
yourself as last position if you don't want to meet the
danger of possible accident.

Frankly speaking, I do not think guys behind the
wheels not allowing pedestrians to pass first is a big
mistake. The reason is space. It is true that each
person in Taiwan only can share tiny space with each
other. If one car stops to let pedestrians go first,
there are a lot of autos will stop behind it for
several minutes. Furthermore, more and more cars will
take the space behind the through line of pedestrians.
Thereafter, cars block the space for those cars from
another direction. Therefore drivers become eager to pass
the pedestrian line quickly to avoid become a barrier for
other cars.

In Asian countries, probably only Japanese drivers would
like to allow pedestrians to go first although they share
as small a space as people share in Taiwan.

Although, I provide an excuse for the rude movement of
Taiwanese drivers. However, I still hope the basic
right of pedestrians in Taiwan is able to be promoted
the same like Seattle's.

Best to you,
Wayne H. Linn

[Back to Newsletter Homepage]