Two-Stage Left Turn for Motorcycles: Poll Shows Only 17% Support Full Cancellation

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Chiao-wen, Taipei, June 13) The debate over the retention or abolition of the two-stage left turn for motorcycles has reignited. An online poll conducted by LINE TODAY shows that 56.87% of the public supports conditionally allowing direct left turns depending on local conditions; 25.71% believe the current two-stage left turn policy should be maintained; and 17.42% hope for the complete elimination of mandatory two-stage left turns.

Recent academic research in Taiwan indicates that after Tainan City piloted the removal of mandatory two-stage left turns for motorcycles, traffic accidents in the trial areas decreased—once again sparking public discussion on whether the two-stage left turn system should be abolished. In response, the Ministry of Transportation stated it will continue improving safety measures for motorcycle left turns.

From June 11 to 13, LINE TODAY conducted an online poll asking: "The debate over retaining or abolishing the two-stage left turn for motorcycles has resurfaced. The Ministry of Transportation believes the focus should not be on blanket permission or prohibition, but rather on enhancing left-turn safety based on intersection conditions. How do you think the two-stage left turn for motorcycles should be adjusted?" So far, over 32,000 people have participated.

The survey shows that 56.87% of respondents support "allowing direct left turns conditionally based on local conditions"; 25.71% believe the current two-stage left turn policy should be maintained; and only 17.42% hope to "fully abolish mandatory two-stage left turns."

Regarding the online poll results, Wu Dong-ling, Director of the Road Administration and Traffic Safety Division at the Ministry of Transportation, said the agency has noted the findings, which may be attributed to two main factors. First, according to an article by Professor Wu Kun-feng from the Department of Transportation and Logistics Management at Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, in accidents between left-turning vehicles and oncoming straight-moving vehicles, an average of 267 people die annually, with motorcyclists or passengers accounting for 88% of all fatalities.

Wu Dong-ling believes the second factor is that many motorcyclists feel significant psychological pressure when making direct left turns amid high-density traffic or facing fast-moving oncoming vehicles. In particular, if a motorcyclist is struck from the side by an oncoming car during a left turn, the resulting injuries can be extremely severe.

Chen Ya-wen, Executive Director of the Advanced Transportation Research Center at Taipei Municipal University, stated that the debate over the two-stage left turn system should not be viewed in isolation. As long as 14 million motorcycles continue to operate on the roads, urban planning must allocate sufficient space and ensure rider-friendly conditions to maximize safety.

Chen emphasized that a comprehensive, intersection-by-intersection review of the two-stage left turn policy is necessary, along with effective management measures such as stricter enforcement against speeding, lane weaving, and reckless overtaking, as well as adjusting priority for waiting left-turning vehicles.

Hung Bai-hsien, Assistant Professor in the Department of Transportation and Logistics at Feng Chia University, pointed out that the survey results reflect public skepticism toward fully opening direct left turns, primarily because motorcycle turning mechanisms involve complex factors such as traffic environment, engineering design, and driver regulations.

Hung noted that since the overall traffic environment cannot be fundamentally transformed in the short term and road users need time to adapt, any policy adjustments must be grounded in rigorous scientific research, with clear direction and timelines established to ensure both safety and stability in road usage rules. (Edited by Li Hsi-chang) 1150613