A media report on March 26th stated that "a pedestrian in Kaohsiung failed to yield to an ambulance while crossing the street and even made obscene gestures, but police were unable to take action." The National Police Agency (NPA) has issued a press release to clarify the situation.

The NPA emphasized that while the behavior initially does not appear to violate Subparagraph 4, Paragraph 1, Article 78 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act — which prohibits running, chasing, playing, sitting, lying down, squatting, or standing in busy traffic areas or near railroad crossings in a way that may obstruct traffic — the pedestrian's shouting and obscene gestures may potentially violate Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1, Article 85 of the Social Order Maintenance Act, which states: “Any of the following behaviors shall be punishable by detention or a fine of not more than NTD 12,000: 1. Using inappropriate language or actions against government officials with carrying out their duties according to the law, yet not to the degree of using coercion or hurling an insult.”

Furthermore, if the insult is deemed serious and interferes with the performance of official duties, it may constitute the crime of obstructing a public official under Articles 140 and 309 of the Criminal Code, and the individual can be referred for prosecution. Thus, there are legal provisions that apply in such cases.

In addition, when an ambulance has its warning lights and sirens activated while carrying out emergency duties and is approaching a pedestrian crossing, it retains the right of way.

The NPA urges the public to yield to ambulances under such circumstances, even when using a pedestrian crossing. Do not obstruct emergency vehicles.