Traffic Accident Fatalities Show Downward Trend, Drug-Impaired Driving Statistics Included for the First Time

(CNA, Reporter Yu Hsiao-han, Taipei, June 29) The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) today released the latest road safety statistics for traffic accidents. From January to April this year, the total number of fatalities within 30 days was 897, continuing a downward trend compared to the same period last year. Drug-impaired driving statistics were included for the first time to declare the determination to prevent such offenses.

The MOTC held a road traffic safety briefing today to announce the accident data for traffic accidents and injuries from January to April.

According to MOTC statistics, the total number of fatalities within 30 days from January to April this year was 897, a decrease of 31 people compared to the same period last year and a decrease of 142 people compared to 2023.

MOTC Vice Minister Chen Yen-po stated that fatalities from motorcycle accidents, among the elderly, drunk driving, pedestrians, and children and adolescents have all decreased compared to 2023. However, fatalities from drunk driving increased by 1 person compared to last year. Additionally, there were 9 fatalities due to drug-impaired driving.

Chen Yen-po said that the inclusion of drug-impaired driving data for the first time not only declares the determination to prevent drug-impaired driving but also aims to curb such offenses.

Wu Tung-ling, Director of the MOTC's Department of Highways and Road Safety, said that the rate of improvement is increasing. Looking at individual cities and counties, for the period of January to April, the total number of fatalities within 30 days increased in New Taipei City and on national highways. The number of pedestrian fatalities within 30 days has shown a continuous increase in New Taipei City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Tainan City, Pingtung County, and Yilan County.

In terms of total fatalities per 100,000 people, Wu Tung-ling stated that the top three areas from January to April this year were Taitung County, Hualien County, and Chiayi County. The top three areas for pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people were Hsinchu County, Nantou County, and Penghu County.

Wu Tung-ling said that looking at the overall and pedestrian A1 accidents in May this year, both have decreased compared to the same period in 2023 and last year.

Wu Tung-ling analyzed that in New Taipei City, the majority of fatalities were among the elderly, while in Tainan, motorcycle fatalities increased. Further analysis and discussion on improvement methods will be conducted with the cities and counties. As for the current data showing Penghu County rising to third place in pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people, it is mainly due to tourists being unfamiliar with the road conditions and looking at their mobile navigation, and the small base population makes it easy to highlight such figures. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150629

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