TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (交通部) unveiled the results of its "Pedestrian Priority Traffic Safety Action Program" (行人優先交通安全行動綱領) on Thursday (Dec. 4), highlighting efforts to enhance pedestrian safety. The ministry reported improvements at 1,901 intersections and upgrades to 216 kilometers of sidewalks, alongside enhancements near 199 school areas this year.
Germany's bne IntelliNews criticized Taiwan's urban planning in August, noting that annual traffic fatalities surpassed the 2,977 deaths from the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. Taiwan recorded 3,064 traffic deaths in 2022, 3,023 in 2023, and a decrease to 2,950 in 2024. This year, 1,819 fatalities occurred from January to August, with a total of 262,000 traffic incidents.
International media have highlighted Taiwan's pedestrian issues, pointing to insufficient pedestrian spaces and weak law enforcement. They urge foreign tourists to consider their travel plans due to these challenges carefully. The director of the Department of Railways, Highways and Road Safety, Wu Dong-ling (吳東凌), stated the ministry will accelerate human-centered traffic engineering, technological enforcement, and stricter penalties for key violations.
The Tourism Bureau acknowledged the negative impact of phrases like "pedestrian hell" on Taiwan's image. However, they emphasized Taiwan's excellent public safety, convenient healthcare, and diverse tourism resources, urging not to overlook these positives. The MOTC also introduced educational initiatives, including the "Traffic Safety Defense Battle" curriculum and interactive games, to promote safety awareness. The ministry plans to continue integrating efforts from central and local governments, experts, and NGOs to refine the speed limit system. Their goal is to halve traffic and pedestrian fatalities by 2030.