The number of motorcyclists and pillion riders killed in traffic accidents in Taiwan rose by almost 5 percent in the first five months of 2022, despite an overall decline in traffic deaths and accidents, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Thursday.
In the period January to May, 150,511 traffic accidents were reported in Taiwan, resulting in 1,243 deaths and 199,547 injuries, the ministry's statistics showed.
The figures represent a 1.9 percent decrease in traffic accidents, a 2.0 percent decline in deaths, and a 2.9 percent drop in injuries, from the same period last year, according to the data.
Despite those declines, the number of traffic deaths among motorcyclists and pillion riders in the first five months of 2022 increased 4.8 percent year-on-year, from 743 to 779, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the number of traffic deaths among people aged 65 and over dropped from 481 last year to 480, while the number of deaths related to drunk driving fell 15.9 percent, from 132 to 111, the data showed.
Regionally, Kaohsiung recorded the highest number of traffic deaths in the five-month period, with 154, followed by Tainan with 132, Taichung 129, New Taipei 126, and Taoyuan 106, according to the statistics.
On a per capita basis, however, Pingtung was the most dangerous municipality for drivers, recording 10.61 traffic deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Chiayi County (10.2), Yunlin (9.0), Hualien (8.77) and Taitung (7.98), the data showed.
The MOTC, which publishes its road safety data on a monthly basis, said it has been implementing a range of initiatives to improve road safety.
It cited programs to redesign dangerous intersections, expand bus services to school campuses, implement new safety guidelines for delivery drivers, and increase penalties for drunk driving.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel