Taipei: Drivers who take their hands off the steering wheel risk fines of up to NT$36,000 (US$1,147), the Freeway Bureau warned Thursday, following a spate of recent collisions involving vehicles equipped with assisted-driving systems (ADAS).
According to Focus Taiwan, the Ministry of Transportation's Freeway Bureau emphasized that while ADAS features such as lane-keeping, blind-spot detection, and automatic emergency braking are increasingly common in new vehicles, they are classified under SAE J3016 Level 0-2 as assistive rather than autonomous. This classification underscores the importance of driver engagement and vigilance.
The bureau highlighted that misunderstanding or overreliance on these systems can lead to distraction and elevate the risk of crashes. ADAS may fail to identify hazards during sudden lane changes, abrupt speed differences, or in challenging conditions such as heavy rain, fog, or glare, which necessitates drivers' continuous attention to the road.
Citing a specific incident on September 1 on National Freeway 3, the bureau reported that a driver excessively reliant on ADAS did not notice a slowing vehicle ahead due to a breakdown, leading to a collision. This incident exemplifies the dangers of overdependence on these systems.
The bureau further warned that drivers caught taking their hands off the wheel for any reason are subject to fines ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$36,000 and will be ordered off the freeway immediately. This enforcement is in accordance with Article 43 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, which prohibits operating a vehicle in "a dangerous manner."