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When you’re crossing the street, and you see the green man running on the traffic light, do you run too? It’s quite a normal reaction, but some think it’s also dangerous. That’s why the animation is soon to be history in Taiwan, as experts believe the running man and the countdown prompt pedestrians to rush across the road. Though the running animation will be gone, the flashing signals on the pedestrian light will remain, to warn people not to cross. In addition, people who cross the street when the light is flashing will no longer face fines.

The countdown is ending and people race across the street like athletes vying for gold in the 100m sprint. Soon, the green man running on the traffic light won’t join the race. According to traffic experts, the sped-up animation pressures pedestrians to hurtle across the street in the last few seconds.

Member of public
Looks at the countdown
I think the best thing is to just look at the countdown. At least that way, as a pedestrian, you can prepare mentally.

Member of public
Is careful crossing the street
Who would think that? It’s just meant as a warning. I look at the green man, and I look to both sides of the street. The flashing warns you that you shouldn’t cross. That’s what we should all tell our elders. I told my mother to not cross when it’s flashing, because at her pace she wouldn’t make it to the other side.

The Transport Ministry is also clarifying the meaning of the flashing pedestrian signal. Now, crossing the road on a flashing light is not prohibited, and fines won’t be issued to those who do. But it is still best to avoid doing so. Does that mean it’s goodbye to the green man?

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
What we will be eliminating is the sped-up walking animation. The flashing light will remain. It’s always been there.

Officials say the green man will no longer run, but it will still flash. But this small change could be hard to implement, as not every traffic light is on the same settings. For instance, here on Taipei’s Bade Road, some of the green men run, while others only flash.

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
After we make the necessary arrangements, we will give local governments some time to make the change. We want to get the running green men out as quickly as possible. It might require editing some code, but let’s fix it quickly.

According to the ministry, Yilan County is the place in Taiwan with the highest number of running green men. Until the new regulations are implemented, officials urge pedestrians to not copy the little green man, and avoid running into crossings.

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