At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen received a Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) briefing on 2023-2027 policy guidelines for pedestrian traffic safety. The premier said the creation of these guidelines involved studying the goals and planning of road safety policies in advanced countries in Europe, America and the United Nations. Taiwan's government has set a policy target of 30% fewer pedestrian traffic deaths by 2030, with the ultimate goal of reaching zero pedestrian deaths, and will advance the legislative passage of a basic act for road traffic safety. These efforts demonstrate the government's resolution to tackle the vital issue of road safety.
Premier Chen said transportation planning in Taiwan has long revolved around the efficiency of traffic flow, focusing on vehicles and neglecting the concept of pedestrian traffic. To improve pedestrian road safety, the government must strengthen integrated planning of public transportation with pedestrian environments, adopting a holistic approach to urban traffic that puts people first. Road safety education, regulatory systems, and law enforcement must also be strengthened.
The premier said countries around the world are in the process of expanding their public transportation systems, partly as a necessary means to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and the increasing prevalence of public transport is enhancing pedestrian safety. Emphasizing that the promotion of a pedestrian-safe public transportation plan is also one of the government's objectives, the premier instructed the MOTC, as well as local governments, to continue promoting convenient and fast public transportation systems that are friendly, comfortable, reliable and affordable.