TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Legislators on Thursday couldn't agree on proposed amendments that would have fined pedestrians for using their phones while crossing intersections. The proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act would have tacked on NT$300 fines for pedestrians who used cellphones, computers or devices in order to take calls or transmit data messages while crossing roads. The amendment will now be retained for further review alongside other traffic laws. The amendment passed the initial review, with sponsor Legislator Chen Ou-po (陳歐珀) saying that the advent of smartphones was creating usage habits that were dangerous to public safety. Chen said that, although pedestrians have right of way, they should also remember to make street crossings as soon as possible so as to not have an adverse effect on traffic.

Source: The China Post May 18, 2017 03:33 UTC