Taichung’s traffic safety team is continually enhancing its traffic safety measures through engineering, law enforcement, and awareness campaigns to safeguard pedestrians. According to the Transportation Bureau, the city government is actively promoting a "pedestrian-oriented transportation" policy. This involves identifying intersections with high foot traffic, such as those near schools, hospitals, commercial hubs, sports centers, and public transport stations, and improving pedestrian infrastructure. Measures include repositioning crosswalks and green crossings, and installing pedestrian refuge islands, and adjusting traffic signals to prioritize pedestrians or add extra time for them to cross the road, along with ongoing efforts to evaluate and improve accident-prone areas.
The Transportation Bureau noted that in regard to law enforcement, the city government has launched a four-phase plan to enhance pedestrian safety through the Police Department. This plan begins by clearing pedestrian-only pathways and removing obstacles from the roads, followed by intensified enforcement efforts to improve pedestrian conditions. To continually remind people of pedestrian rights and deepen drivers’ awareness of yielding, the city government highlights key enforcement periods. The final phase involves removing objects that block the view at intersections, making pedestrians more visible and asserting their right of way. This year, Taichung has also installed 20 new technology-based enforcement systems that operate 24/7 to catch violations such as running red lights, failing to yield to pedestrians, and disregarding traffic signs and signals. The public is advised to follow traffic rules to avoid fines.
The Transportation Bureau added that in regard to awareness campaigns, the city government is enhancing traffic safety education through a collaborative effort involving the Transportation Bureau, Education Bureau, Police Department, Information Bureau, and the Taichung Motor Vehicles Office. This plan involves partnering with local communities, neighborhoods, agencies, organizations (associations), and schools to promote traffic safety concepts through various channels. By hosting experiential events, they aim to raise citizens' awareness of pedestrian safety and contribute to making the city a safer and more livable place for everyone.
The Transportation Bureau reported that, thanks to the efforts of Taichung’s traffic safety team, there has been a noticeable improvement in traffic safety. According to data from the Ministry of Transportation's Road Safety Information Platform, the number of traffic-related fatalities in Taichung from January 1 to May 30 this year decreased by 26 people (-18.1%) compared to the same period last year. Furthermore, the total number of traffic accident casualties in the city dropped by 590 people (-1.5%) compared to the same period last year, showing a positive trend in reducing accidents. As for pedestrian-related incidents, there were 1,173 pedestrian casualties from January 1 to May 30 this year, marking a reduction of 86 people (-6.8%) compared to the same period last year. In May alone, there were 3 pedestrian deaths, down by 1 from the same period last year, indicating that preventative measures for pedestrian accidents are gradually yielding results.
(8/4*16)*Contact Person of the Transportation Bureau: Contact Number of the Transportation Bureau, Taichung City Government: 04-22289111