TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) plans to allocate NT$103.6 million for media policy and business promotion next year, Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) announced on Monday (Dec. 23). This marks an increase of over NT$36 million from this year, underscoring the ministry's commitment to traffic safety awareness. During the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee's (交通委員會) budget review, the ministry proposed NT$103.6 million for traffic safety promotion, a rise of NT$36.46 million.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲) questioned the repeated three-year contract wins by certain vendors, suggesting a need to broaden policy advocacy. KMT Legislator Huang Chien-hao (黃健豪) also criticized the previous large budget allocations, noting the lack of significant reduction in pedestrian traffic fatalities. He urged improvements at dangerous intersections and the addition of sidewalks.
Minister Chen emphasized that while engineering improvements are crucial, education and advocacy are even more important to accelerate progress and reduce traffic accidents. Following deliberations, committee convener and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) decided to cut NT$12 million from the budget. She also requested a written report from the ministry. This decision reflects a balanced approach to fiscal responsibility and the need for effective traffic safety strategies.
