Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan (Feb. 8, 2026)— A tragic pedestrian accident claimed the life of a male executive from a Hsinchu high-tech company early this month, reigniting public concern over pedestrian safety in Zhubei. The 事故 occurred on February 4 while the man, surnamed Cheng, was out for his usual morning exercise, crossing Zhuangjing 3rd Road in Zhubei when he was struck by a left-turning vehicle and died at the crosswalk. Police have filed charges of negligent homicide against the driver.
Pedestrian Risks Heightened by Traffic Signal Design
Cheng’s two daughters highlighted concerns with the intersection’s traffic management. To ease congestion along Victory 7th and 8th Streets, the county had converted parts of the roadway to paired one-way streets last year. Following this change, the early green light for pedestrian crossings at certain intersections between Zhuangjing North Road and Ziqiang North Road was removed, causing vehicles and pedestrians to start simultaneously.
The family believes this synchronization increases the danger for pedestrians, as drivers compete for green lights and often fail to yield. Cheng’s younger daughter noted that traffic lights along the paired one-way section are fully synchronized, encouraging motorists to accelerate and “race for the green,” further reducing driver courtesy toward pedestrians.
Additional Safety Concerns at Intersections
Cheng’s eldest daughter pointed out that traffic control boxes and signal equipment near intersections can obstruct drivers’ views of pedestrians, adding to the risk. She recommended a comprehensive review of the placement of such installations to improve visibility and safety.
Authorities Respond
Hsinchu County Government officials stated they will consider the family’s observations during field inspections and review traffic statistics, current vehicle flow, and road safety measures. Potential improvements will be discussed at the county’s Road Safety Committee.
The county police traffic division also proposed restoring the early pedestrian green light mechanism at all intersections along Victory 7th and 8th Streets from Zhuangjing North Road to Ziqiang North Road to better protect pedestrians.
Public Safety Reminder
Cheng’s family recounted returning to the accident site for a memorial and noticing that drivers continued at normal speeds despite the tragedy, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a “pedestrian hell.” They called for both infrastructure improvements and greater public awareness to prevent future accidents.
Police investigations confirmed that Cheng was crossing the street during a green light when he was hit by a left-turning vehicle driven by a woman surnamed Wang. He had maintained a decade-long routine of early morning walks with his dog before heading to work.
This incident has sparked renewed debate over pedestrian safety, traffic signal design, and driver awareness in Zhubei, highlighting the urgent need for improvements to protect vulnerable road users.