Biker Fined for Passing Behind Pedestrian After Yielding! Up to NT$6,000 Lost – Real Reason Revealed

In July 2025, a motorcyclist riding through the intersection of Zhongbei Road and Section 1, Zhongshan East Road in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, noticed pedestrians crossing the zebra crossing and stopped to wait. However, after the pedestrians passed, the rider proceeded behind them across the crosswalk and was immediately pulled over by police, receiving a citation for 'failing to yield to pedestrians.' Confused, the rider protested: 'I checked both sides twice and confirmed it was safe—how is this a violation?'

The YouTube channel 'WoWtchout – Map-Based Driving Footage Sharing Platform' shared the dashcam footage, which clearly showed the rider and a companion briefly stopping at the intersection to allow pedestrians to pass.

Yet, moments after leaving the intersection, the rider was stopped by an officer. The officer explained that vehicles must maintain at least a 3-meter distance from pedestrians—roughly equivalent to three pavement grooves on the zebra crossing—and issued the citation for 'failing to yield.'

The rider argued that he had fully stopped, waited for the pedestrians to pass, and double-checked for others before moving. He shared the footage online, questioning: 'Is this really failing to yield? I looked both ways twice and confirmed no one was coming.'

After the video went viral, public opinion was divided. Some viewers believed the rider clearly yielded and could appeal the ticket. Others questioned how precisely the 'three-groove distance' could be judged when road markings were unclear.

Some netizens pointed out that although the rider slowed or stopped, the vehicle began creeping forward slowly after, which might be interpreted as not fully stopping. They advised drivers to completely halt and only restart after pedestrians have fully exited the vehicle’s path.

Later, police re-examined the footage and visited the scene. According to Liberty Times, the investigation found that parts of the crosswalk markings had become blurred due to road construction, making it difficult to judge the actual distance between vehicle and pedestrian.

Considering the unclear markings and ambiguity over whether the rider truly failed to yield, police withdrew the citation the next day.

After reviewing the video and conducting an on-site inspection, authorities acknowledged the faded crosswalk lines due to construction and withdrew the original violation notice due to evidentiary uncertainty.

How is 'failing to yield to pedestrians' determined?

According to Article 103 of the current Road Traffic Safety Rules, when a motor vehicle or motorcycle approaches a pedestrian crossing and pedestrians are crossing, the driver must stop and yield—regardless of traffic signals or officers. Even at intersections without marked crosswalks, drivers must stop if the location is legally designated for pedestrian crossing.

Police typically use the following criteria to enforce 'failure to yield': if the front of the vehicle (or front wheel of a motorcycle) enters the crosswalk and the distance between the vehicle and pedestrian is less than 3 meters—approximately one lane width or three pavement grooves.

However, the 3-meter rule is not a legal requirement but an enforcement guideline. Drivers must fully stop, not just slow down or creep through.

What is the penalty for failing to yield?

Under Article 44 of the current Road Traffic Management Penalty Act, drivers who fail to stop and yield to pedestrians at crossings or legal pedestrian crossing points face fines from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

As of June 30, 2025, penalties for failing to yield and causing an accident have increased:

- If the violation causes injury: fine of NT$18,000–36,000 and license suspension for 1–2 years. - If it causes serious injury or death: fine of NT$36,000 and license revocation.

Additionally, if the driver’s actions constitute criminal negligence resulting in injury or death, criminal charges may apply. Drivers must confirm pedestrians have completely cleared their path, fully stop, check surroundings, and proceed only when safe to avoid accidents or enforcement disputes.

Source: New Taipei City Police Department, Banqiao Branch