TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Transportation (MOTC) reported on Monday (July 1) 128,003 traffic accidents from January to April, a decrease of 4.8% compared to the same period last year.

According to the latest MOTC statistics, the number of vehicle-related deaths from January to April was 982, down 5.5% compared to the same period last year. Statistics also show that incidents involving motorcycles, the elderly, drunk driving, pedestrians, and children and adolescents have all decreased compared to the same period last year, per CNA.

MOTC official Huang Yun-kuei (黃運貴) said in a press conference Pingtung County performed the worst in terms of the number of deaths within 30 days, motorcycle deaths, and elderly deaths. “Hsinchu City had the highest number of pedestrian deaths, Yunlin County had the highest number of drunk driving deaths, and Taipei tied with Pingtung County for the highest number of motorcycle deaths,” he explained.

Conversely, Taipei had the least pedestrian deaths, Taichung the least motorcycle deaths, and Chiayi County the least elderly deaths, Huang added.

Huang said moving forward, the aim is to continue reducing this number as much as possible. Annual targets will be set based on its 2030 goals, with reviews to adjust strategies as needed, he said.

Additionally, the MOTC reported out of the 799 priority intersections for improvement, 99 have been completed so far. The Highway Bureau (HB) plans to complete improvements at 2,000 intersections by the end of the year, it said.