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Sheriff promotes traffic safety on Green Island

Sheriff promotes traffic safety on Green Island

Sheriff promotes traffic safety on Green Island

With tourists visiting the offshore Green Island (Lyudao) increasing every day as the summer vacation is approaching, Taitung County police chief went to the island to give guidance to motorcycle rentals and bed and breakfast providers on motorcycle safety. Taitung County Police Chief Wang Chin-yuan went together with two of the county’s chief traffic officers. Thirty-three people have been injured in 21 accidents that have happened on Green Island’s narrow and curvy highways since the beginning of this year, and most of the accidents were caused by speeding and not being familiar with road conditions around the island, according to the county police bureau. County police said it would step up efforts to punish violations, urging people to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle to reduce severity of injury in case of an accident. Police will continue to work with local businesses to promote traffic safety, Wang said, calling for motorcycle riders on the offshore island to slow down. Surrounded by coral reefs and rich marine life, Green Island is a volcanic island formed by Andesite. Green Island is about 4 km long and 3 km wide. The altitude of its highest hill, Huoshaoshan, is 281m above sea level. A highway of 20 km in length now surrounds the island, which takes no more than half an hour to complete on a motorcycle ride. Green Island first served as an isolated spot and place of exile for political prisoners during the martial law period of Taiwanese history under the Kuomintang, and especially in the White Terror. “Lyudao Prison" is also on the island and has housed prisoners considered to be among Taiwan's most dangerous criminals and gangsters. However, this has changed over the years.