TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan remains behind schedule in meeting its road safety goals, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said, urging lawmakers not to cut funding for related safety programs.
His remarks came as ruling and opposition legislative caucuses completed a second round of negotiations over the central government's 2026 budget on Wednesday. Lawmakers are expected to decide next week whether to sign off on the negotiated outcome or proceed with a third round of talks, according to CTEE and CNA.
Several budget items related to pedestrian and road safety have been proposed for cuts, despite the government's long-term road safety goals. Taiwan aims to reduce pedestrian deaths by half from 2023 levels by 2030 — and achieve zero road traffic fatalities by 2050.
Cho said data collected so far this year shows pedestrian deaths have fallen 22% from the 2023 baseline, while overall traffic fatalities are down 14%. However, he said progress remains below the pace needed to meet the government's targets.
Taiwan began implementing new pedestrian safety infrastructure standards in 2024. The government has allocated a total of NT$40 billion (US$1.2 billion) between 2024 and 2027 to help local governments improve pedestrian facilities.
The program involves cooperation across government agencies to redesign and upgrade high-risk intersections. More than 900 high-risk intersections have been upgraded this year, with additional projects planned.
Cho said continued investment is essential to maintaining these improvements, but several road safety-related budget items are facing cuts during the budget review. One proposal would cut NT$20 million from funding for public works quality and road construction inspections, leaving about 20% of the originally proposed budget.
Lawmakers have also proposed eliminating the entire NT$8.1 million budget for maintaining the government's road information website. Another proposal would cut nearly half of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' NT$95 million allocation for road safety campaigns.
