Traffic Laws in Taiwan

At first, when I saw people running red lights and breaking every traffic law in the book, I would shake my head... "tsk tsk.... how can they just go through the light when it's red, even if there are no cars coming the other way, it is illegal." or "my goodness! they just park their cars wherever they want! Even if it is half in the road, they think it's ok!" or "seriously, what kind of person makes a five-point u-turn on a busy two way street during rushhour?"

Then, one hot day, I was at a red light. And the traffic lights aren't like in America, there are no sensors that will recognize if there is actually traffic coming that way or not. You just have to wait the full minute and a half for the light to turn again. I felt the sun beating down on me, the sweat pouring down, and I thought... "what the heck! everyone else does it! when in Rome, right? there's no one coming the other way..." and so... I ran the red light. What a liberating experience, to be suddenly set free from years of being conditioned that I had to obey traffic rules! And now... I really quite enjoy it. It is so convenient, if you can make it, just go! If you feel like driving the wrong way down a one-way street, go for it! Everything is ok here, especially on a scooter. And you get where you want to go much faster. :)