The Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government hosted the second conference of the "Keelung-Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan Environmental Cooperation and Exchange Platform" on June 28. This conference focused on the control and enforcement experiences of noisy cars that disturb the peace and the mutual aid mechanism in waste management. Following the conference, all parties reached an agreement and suggested legislative changes to the central government. They aimed to strengthen fines for motor vehicle noise control infractions and to establish a certification system for exhaust systems.
Shih-Wei Chen, Director of the Department of Environmental Protection, stated that due to the strategic location of Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan in Taiwan's capital region, the area's total population is close to ten million and increasing. Consequently, noise control for vehicles has been an ongoing and troublesome issue. In particular, the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government launched the "Peaceful Taoyuan Project" in June of this year. The plan involves cooperation among various departments and offices, including the Police Department, Department of Environmental Protection, and Economic Development Bureau. It implements four major control measures: "Joint Inspection by Environmental Protection Officers and Police," "Law Enforcement with Acoustic Camera Technology," "Reporting and Transfer of Cases to Prosecutors," and "Inspection and Guidance on Modification Source." The approach involves random inspections to enhance the effectiveness of enforcement. Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Keelung City also shared their enforcement experiences during the conference. Moreover, for the upcoming summer vacation period from July to September, the Department of Environmental Protection of the four cities will conduct "Joint Inspections in Keelung-Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan" and the "Summer Anti-noisy Vehicles Project" to strengthen inspection and enforcement efforts to jointly combat the issue of modified noisy vehicles.
The present fines and limits established by the Noise Control Act, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, are unsuccessful in preventing illegal modifications and nocturnal noise problems created by cars. The four parties from the Keelung-Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan area reached two agreements to tighten enforcement during the conference: Firstly, stiffer fines for repeat offenders would be enforced, and penalties for infractions would be enhanced. Secondly, to improve the exhaust pipe certification process. They will next recommend legal changes to the central government to effectively reduce noise disturbances produced by automobiles through policy measures, thereby providing a calm atmosphere for inhabitants.
According to the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government, the "Keelung-Taipei-New Taipei-Taoyuan Environmental Cooperation and Exchange Platform'' differs from previous cooperation platforms in that it seeks to discuss and expand cross-domain participation and cooperation models. It strengthens substantive cooperation mechanisms and aims to promote regional resource integration in the future, propelling the collaborative growth of environmental protection work. This will establish a solid foundation for sustainable development, ensuring the northern Taiwan living circle can enjoy a more comfortable, peaceful, and attractive environment.