To achieve the "Vision Zero" target for road traffic fatalities, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) is actively implementing the internationally advocated "Safe System Approach (SSA)." The core philosophy of the SSA recognizes that human beings are vulnerable and fallible, emphasizing that the transport system must provide adequate tolerance for errors. Controlling vehicle speed serves as the ultimate physical defense to ensure that impact kinetic energy during a crash does not result in fatalities.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and related research, the Safe System Approach comprises five key pillars: safe road users, safe roads, safe vehicles, safe speeds, and post-crash care. Together, these pillars build a forgiving traffic system designed to absorb human error, thereby preventing fatal traffic crashes and reducing serious injuries. Furthermore, the 2006 Speed Management Report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicates that a 5% increase in average speed leads to an approximate 10% increase in injury-causing crashes and a 20% increase in fatal crashes, highlighting the critical importance of speed management in mitigating traffic casualties.
To enforce the "Safer Speeds" and "Pedestrian-First Transportation" policies, Taiwan has implemented speed management improvements at key locations, particularly in areas or zones with high pedestrian and school child volume, or high crash risks. Initiatives such as "Pedestrian Priority Zones," "Pedestrian-Friendly Zones," and "Campus Perimeter Improvements" are being actively promoted. Through policy formulation and regulatory frameworks by central government agencies, combined with the selection, assessment, and execution by local governments, lower speed limits and protective measures are being implemented. We encourage active participation from local public representatives to jointly promote the importance of speed reduction. By uniting national efforts to enhance transport environment safety, these measures will gradually expand in scope and effectiveness islandwide, steering us toward the ultimate goal of Vision Zero.
Less Speed, More Safety: Working Together Toward Vision Zero