Browsing: traffic safety in Taiwan

Kaohsiung collected roughly NT$1.6 billion in traffic fines last year, but only a small portion is required to be used for road safety improvements under current rules. The Central Govt says it’s planning a national policy change.

The bureau pointed to international comparisons, noting that traffic fatality rates in South Korea are roughly half of Taiwan’s, while Japan’s are significantly lower — outcomes often linked to consistent investment in road engineering and pedestrian infrastructure.

The figures have renewed concern over road safety in the city, particularly after a series of fatal crashes in the days following the announcement. Local media outlet Jin News (勁報) via LINE, reported that four additional deaths occurred within a single week across Siaogang, Renwu, and Linyuan districts, involving multiple collisions between trucks and motorcycles.

Commuters may soon see a new type of vehicle on the roads as the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) prepares to legalize enclosed-cabin three-wheeled scooters as early as the second half of 2026.

Officials stated that the underpass’s original design, particularly its steep entry and exit gradients, did not account for motorcycle safety. Consequently, the ban will remain in place to prevent potential accidents.

Police explained that riders at the intersection must follow the traffic signal positioned at the “11 o’clock direction,” rather than the signal directly ahead. Only then did she realize she had misread the lights. People are urging city authorities to review and improve the traffic light design.

Kaohsiung judges uphold speeding ticket, saying modern laser speed guns use a narrow beam that locks onto a single vehicle — a method known as “point-to-point” targeting, meaning interference from surrounding traffic does not cause confusion.

Pedestrian crossings are being adjusted. Crosswalks are being set slightly farther back from intersections, and striped markings are being re-angled so drivers can see pedestrians earlier as they approach.

Statistics show older drivers are involved in significant numbers of accidents, especially with pedestrians/scooters. For example, drivers 70+ had higher incidents of “pedestrian or passenger error” attributed to them per 100,000 population (47 for 70+ vs. 11 for 18-29) in one breakdown.