The presidential candidates of three major parties in Taiwan, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) and other parties yesterday signed a pledge to support and work toward “zero pedestrian deaths” by 2040 at a rally in Taipei.
The rally, called “Stop Killing Pedestrians,” was organized by civic group Vision Zero to urge the government to address the risks that pedestrians face in Taiwan, where more than 3,000 people die in traffic accidents every year.
Although the rally was disrupted by a sudden downpour yesterday afternoon, hundreds of people attended.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Chao Chia-ling (趙家麟), a professor of landscape architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University who has been raising awareness about pedestrian safety for more than 20 years, said the event was organized entirely by concerned citizens.
“I was surprised that a rally for the same cause that was held in Kaohsiung on July 22 was organized by high-school students,” Chao said. “I have been talking for more than 20 years and I was very frustrated, but now we have hope. All we want is for our children, and even our children’s children, to live safely in urban areas.”
Vision Zero presented its key appeals to the government, which included comprehensive facilities for pedestrians, new motor vehicle license tests, cracking down on motorists who do not yield for pedestrians and passing the draft transportation safety basic act.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
“We urge the government to listen to our appeals, show determination to change the transportation environment and fulfill the vision of ‘zero pedestrian deaths,’” Vision Zero said.
The number of pedestrian deaths should be halved by 2030, the group said.
Gou said he was nearly hit by large vehicles twice in the past six months when he was walking at night.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Drivers need to stop, look and listen to ensure the safety of pedestrians, he said.
Representatives of Taiwan’s political parties all signed to support Vision Zero’s appeals.
Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, vowed to thoroughly enforce the draft road transportation safety basic act and work with opposition parties and local government officials to improve safety at the 600 intersections where accidents most often occur in Taiwan.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
“I also support the cause of reducing pedestrian deaths by 50 percent by 2030 and reaching the goal of ‘zero pedestrian deaths’ by 2040,” Lai said.
New Taipei City Mayor Ho You-yi (侯友宜), the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, said that Taiwan’s transportation safety issues need to be tackled by changing regulations and urban design plans.
“The lack of adequate separation between pedestrians and vehicles has caused chaos on the roads. We pledge to fulfill the appeals and conduct a thorough review of traffic signals, signage and demarcations around the country,” he said.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Taiwan’s People Party Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said that Japan has a population five times larger than that of Taiwan, and yet Taiwan’s traffic-related deaths are five times higher than Japan’s.
“The current administration seems to think the way to address the road safety issues is to spend tons of money. However, it has generated only limited effects,” Ko said. “They should really look at numbers and address the fundamental issues.”
New Power Party Chairwoman Claire Wang (王婉諭) said the increase in pedestrian deaths was the result of the negligence of President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration.
“Vice President Lai should consider the consequences of having subscribed to wrong solutions ... and refusing to change policies in the past seven years,” she said.
Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) was booed while walking onto the stage to address the rally.
He said it is his responsibility to create a safe transportation environment, and bowed and apologized for past shortcomings.
“I will respond to each and every appeal, and incorporate them into transportation safety policy. The draft road transportation safety basic act will address relevant issues from the Cabinet level and clearly lists the responsibilities of the central government,” he said.
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