Woman Boards Taxi at Tai Po Intersection, Triggering Traffic Jam and Online Debate
HK01 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A woman in Tai Po caused a traffic obstruction after crossing a road at a traffic light-controlled intersection and boarding a green hybrid taxi, leaving her rain jacket discarded on the roadway. The incident, captured by a dashcam on Friday, showed heavy traffic including private cars, buses, and heavy trucks passing through the area. Other vehicles behind the stationary taxi were forced to honk and navigate around it, with the situation persisting even after the traffic light turned green.
Key Points
- The incident occurred at a traffic light-controlled intersection in Tai Po, with the dashcam vehicle travelling along Ting Kok Road
- A hybrid green taxi stopped after the woman walked to the intersection, where she removed her rain jacket and left it on the road before boarding
- Multiple vehicles including private cars, buses, and heavy trucks were delayed, with drivers forced to honk and overtake the stationary taxi
- The footage went viral online, with commenters noting the woman's casual manner and questioning whether the pickup was pre-arranged
- Under Regulation 39 of the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G), pedestrians cannot cross within 15 metres of a traffic light-controlled crossing
- Violators can face a maximum fine of HK$2,000 under Section 61(2), while littering in public places carries a HK$3,000 fixed penalty under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570)
Why It Matters
The viral incident highlights ongoing public concerns about road safety compliance and proper pedestrian behaviour at designated crossings in Hong Kong. Legal experts note that enforcement of these regulations depends on the actual stopping location, with potential violations extending to taxi drivers who stop in restricted zones such as pedestrian crossings, yellow box junctions, or bus stops .