Hsinchu County — A chaotic intersection in Zhubei City has drawn public outrage after a recent traffic accident exposed just how dangerous the area has become. The incident occurred during rush hour at the junction of Lane 286 near Taiyuan Technology Park on Huanbei Road Section 1, where surveillance footage showed five vehicles blatantly running a red light in less than 10 seconds.
A 50-year-old woman surnamed Qiu, who was waiting on her scooter at the green light, allowed four red-light violators to pass before attempting to move forward. Tragically, she collided with a fifth car that ignored the signal, leaving her with serious injuries that required hospitalization.
Local resident representative Chen Yutong revealed that the intersection—shared by Huanbei Road, Lanes 269 and 286, Weixin Street, and Taiyuan 1st Street—has long been a source of complaints. Residents report that drivers frequently disregard the traffic lights, turning the signals into “mere decorations.” Chen urged county officials to take immediate action, recommending the installation of automated red-light cameras to deter reckless driving.
The location is particularly hazardous due to its proximity to Taiyuan Science Park. Despite having two sets of traffic lights just 120 meters apart, the signals are not synchronized, creating confusion and congestion during peak hours. Commuters say the heavy traffic flow and speeding vehicles make it nerve-wracking for both scooter riders and cyclists to pass through safely.
The accident has also raised questions about enforcement. Lawmakers criticized the fact that all three government-installed surveillance cameras at the intersection were out of service at the time of the crash. Police were forced to seek footage from nearby businesses and residents. The county police explained that one key camera had been non-operational from July 27 to September 7 due to construction and only resumed service on September 8.
In response, Hsinchu County’s Department of Transportation and Tourism announced a comprehensive improvement plan for the intersection. Director Chen Yingzhou explained that proposed measures include extending the central divider, adding pedestrian refuge islands, adjusting crosswalk placements, and restricting right turns onto Xin Street. The plan also calls for consolidating the two traffic light systems into a single set to streamline traffic flow and reduce confusion.
Officials assured the public that once coordination with the Zhubei City Office is finalized, the improvements will be implemented as soon as possible. Meanwhile, police vowed to step up patrols and crackdowns on reckless driving, particularly red-light violations, to prevent further tragedies.
