Hsinchu military drill: Tank crushes landmark, disrupting traffic

During the Army’s "Lusheng No. 2" brigade-level combat exercise recently held in Hsinchu, an incident was reported on the 19th in which tank treads crushed road reflective markers, commonly known as cat's eyes. Cat's eyes are essential road safety facilities that provide visual guidance for vehicles at night or in rainy conditions, playing an indispensable role in driving safety. During the exercise, the military forces were required to conduct mobility tests across various road surfaces to simulate combat environments. However, on the test section in downtown Hsinchu, the weight and speed of the tanks' treads crushed the cat's eyes, creating noticeable gaps in the road surface and consequently affecting the driving and pedestrian safety of local residents.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of National Defense’s Training and Doctrine Command (TDCOM) stated on the same day that, upon receiving the report, it immediately contacted the Hsinchu City Traffic Department to coordinate and clarify the attribution of responsibility. According to relevant provisions of the Regulations for the Maintenance and Management of Road Traffic Safety Facilities, if military operations cause damage to public facilities, the relevant units shall be responsible for their repair or compensation. TDCOM emphasized that it will follow legal procedures to expedite repair work once responsibility is determined, and will ensure that normal road usage is not affected during the repair period.

This incident has once again highlighted the conflicts and coordination challenges in dual-use civil-military spaces. In previous large-scale military exercises, such as "Lusheng No. 1" and "Navy Blue Whale," heavy vehicle traffic or artillery training had also caused damage to livelihood infrastructure, raising concerns among local governments and residents. To prevent similar situations from recurring, the Ministry of National Defense has in recent years promoted pre-exercise route assessments and environmental impact assessments, while formulating temporary traffic control and facility protection measures jointly with local governments, hoping to balance combat readiness requirements with minimized impacts on residents' lives.

The Hsinchu City Traffic Department noted in its response that the destruction of the cat's eyes has posed a risk to nighttime driving safety on local main roads. It will prioritize scheduling repair work and install temporary warning signs and speed bumps during the construction period to alert drivers to exercise caution. The Traffic Department also urged the public to strictly follow road instructions and drive at reduced speeds before repairs are completed to prevent accidents. This action also demonstrates the rapid response mechanism of local authorities when sudden damage to public facilities occurs.

From a broader perspective, conflicts between military exercises and livelihood infrastructure are not merely technical issues, but also involve the allocation of public resources and social trust. If the military fails to properly prevent or swiftly remedy losses during exercises, it may erode public support and recognition of the defense system. Conversely, if local governments and the military can engage in prior consultation and prompt post-event repairs, it will help build sound mechanisms for civil-military mutual trust and enhance overall societal security and cohesion.

In summary, the incident in the "Lusheng No. 2" exercise where tanks crushed cat's eyes has prompted cross-departmental cooperation between TDCOM and the Hsinchu City Traffic Department to clarify responsibilities, accelerate repairs, and remind the public to maintain driving safety during the construction period. If the impact on civilian livelihoods can be more meticulously considered during the exercise planning phase in the future, it will help reduce similar conflicts and uphold a win-win situation for both national defense requirements and public safety. (Source: Central News Agency)