TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Traffic deaths in Taiwan rose in January, with 264 people killed in road accidents, the Ministry of Transportation (交通部) said Tuesday (April 7). The toll marked an increase of 23 deaths from the same period last year, highlighting persistent safety risks even as authorities step up enforcement and invest in safer road design.
New Taipei City reported the highest number of fatalities in January, with 44 deaths, nearly double the totals recorded in other major cities such as Taichung and Tainan. Officials said motorcycle-related accidents remain a key factor, with riders often failing to maintain safe distances or losing focus on the road.
Infrastructure and traffic policies have also come under scrutiny. In some areas, authorities adjusted nighttime traffic signals to flashing modes, a change that led to faster vehicle speeds at intersections before officials moved to restore stricter controls. Intersection accidents reached 14,067 in 2025, underscoring the risks faced by both pedestrians and drivers.
Taiwan stands out among developed economies in the region. Japan recorded 1,415 road deaths in 2024, while South Korea reported 1,137. Taiwan's total of 2,858 was more than double either figure, according to the International Transport Forum's annual road safety report.
Road traffic accidents remain a major global public safety challenge, with around 1.19 million people killed each year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Taiwan's latest figures underscore that progress is often uneven and can be reversed quickly. Most deaths occur in low- and middle-income regions, the organization said. ◼