TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — An advocacy group is calling for stricter licensing for drivers after two Taipei bus drivers were involved in an accident that left one pedestrian dead and 15 others injured.

On Sunday (Nov. 17), a Route 49 city bus driven by a 54-year-old man surnamed Chen (陳) stopped for a 50-year-old pedestrian surnamed Lin (林) in front of the Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel in Zhongzheng District, per CNA. However, a Route 312 city bus behind it, driven by a 23-year-old woman surnamed Hsieh (謝), slammed into the back of Chen's bus.

The impact caused Chen's bus to roll forward, fatally striking Lin and colliding with a taxi stopped at a red light. Fifteen people were injured in the accident, including eight tourists from Thailand.

The Taiwan Vision Zero Alliance said on Facebook that the accident coincided with World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The group, which held a vigil for the occasion on Jinan Road, expressed regret that a fatal collision occurred near the event site and called for an investigation by the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board.

In a press release, the alliance noted that Taipei has long promoted the safety protocol of "pointing and calling" at intersections, per Liberty Times. It questioned whether individual drivers were failing to follow this practice, maintain safe distances, or avoid other bad driving habits.

The group also raised concerns about excessive shifts and low wages for bus drivers, suggesting these could lead to overwork and fatigue. It urged bus operators to conduct a thorough review of working conditions and improve driver training to prevent further harm to pedestrians.

The alliance highlighted another recent pedestrian fatality in Taichung involving a bus, noting that similar incidents have now occurred in two of Taiwan’s largest cities. It argued that Taipei, as a special municipality, should have more resources to oversee public transportation operators.

The group questioned whether the city government had mismanaged bus companies or overlooked poor working conditions. It called on the Taipei City Government to launch an immediate investigation and provide a public explanation.

Emphasizing that buses are a common form of public transportation for pedestrians, the alliance warned that recurring accidents could undermine pedestrian safety. It urged the government and transportation operators to review policies to create a safer traffic environment, especially as walking and public transit are promoted to reduce carbon emissions, meet net-zero goals, and alleviate congestion.

The group also criticized Taiwan’s driver licensing system, describing it as “one of the easiest to obtain in the world.” It pointed out that individuals can upgrade from a standard car license to a bus driver’s license after holding the former for just two years and completing a training course.

The alliance argued this system provides insufficient protection for vulnerable road users, noting the lack of periodic retraining for drivers.

To address these issues, the alliance submitted a report titled "Taiwan Traffic Driving Education: Review of Driving Training, Licensing, Retraining Systems and Optimization Strategies" to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The report highlighted outdated exam content, leniency from examiners who also serve as instructors, and a lack of real-world applicability in road tests.

The group called on the central government to implement comprehensive reforms to driver training and retraining programs.