TAIWAN — December 1, 2025 — A female pedestrian in Taiwan shared her surprising experience of being fined NT$500 for crossing a crosswalk, even though she stepped onto the street during a green light. Her post on the social media platform Threads has since sparked widespread discussion among netizens.
Unexpected Fine at Crosswalk
The woman explained that she saw the green light and began to cross the street as usual. Midway across, however, a police officer stopped her and issued a fine under Article 78, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act for “failing to follow the instructions of signs, markings, signals, or police commands.” The incident left her astonished.
Upon further inquiry, she learned that pedestrians are not allowed to step onto the crosswalk during the “flashing green man” countdown, which typically lasts about 10 seconds. Crossing partway and having the light turn red is considered a traffic violation. Reflecting on the incident, she said, “I won’t be so hasty in the future; it’s a good lesson learned.”
Netizens Share Similar Experiences
Her post triggered a flood of comments from other users recounting their own encounters. Some mentioned receiving tickets at intersections with short green light intervals, while others described situations where missing a lane on a multi-lane road led to a lengthy wait for the next green signal. Many expressed frustration over the rule, calling it confusing or overly strict.
Several netizens noted the difference between Taiwan and international standards, pointing out that a flashing green light in Taiwan signals the end of a pedestrian’s right of way, whereas internationally, a red light typically marks this transition. Others clarified that the rule prohibits entering the crosswalk once the pedestrian signal begins flashing, rather than stepping off mid-crossing.
Takeaway for Pedestrians
Traffic authorities remind pedestrians to enter crosswalks only when the green signal is fully active and to avoid stepping onto streets during the flashing countdown. While the regulation aims to ensure pedestrian safety, many argue that public awareness of the flashing green rule remains low, leading to confusion and fines.