Recently in Taiwan, the authorities imposed heavy fines for traffic violations, for example, drivers who did not yield right of way to pedestrians, running a red light, vehicles staying in yellow net areas, and so on. It is said the law enforcement was due to some foreigners complaining about the "anarchy" on the roads of Taiwan. Anyway, this time the Cai administration has brought a visible improvement to road safety; nevertheless, the fines are way too high for ordinary people. So, I doubt the enforcement might backfire someday.

The "movement" reminds me of another one that took place sixty years ago. Likewise, a foreigner, an American student at NTU nicknamed 狄仁華, contributed to the Central Daily that people in Taiwan are very human but lacking public morals, which sparked a wide movement of "self-conciscousness" that prevailed on the island, particularly on campuses. People ceased jumping the line and spitting everywhere; students ceased cheating on exams; passengers started yielding seats to those in need on buses; and some other "virtues" emerged accordingly. However, not before long, the movement was consigned to oblivion, partly due to the marshal law enforced in Taiwan. (Some raidcals were even sentenced and put into jail.)

Menfucius said that the law alone cannot bring effectiveness; virtue alone cannot handle public affairs. Therefore, it necessitates the law (reasonable fines} and the virtue (public self-consciousness) working together to eventually solve the traffic ills in the long run.