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Updated Friday, October 16, 2009 9:32 am TWN, The China Post news staff 4 killed, 8 injured in chain highway crashesTwo sisters in their early 50s, as well as a driver and his aunt, were pronounced dead when they were rushed to different hospitals. Firemen and other rescuers managed to pull more than a dozen of other drivers and passengers from their twisted cars in time. Traffic accident inspectors said the chain of crashes took place at around 11:30 a.m. at kilometer 209 of the freeway. A shaken female driver who spoke to reporters recalled hearing a loud booming noise coming from behind her. "I looked back and saw the bus smashing into the cars like a bowling ball knocking down pins," she said, adding that although she tried to maneuver her car out of the path of the bus she was still struck by the vehicles. Bus driver Su Ku-pang, who has about 20 years experience behind the wheel, said he was driving at about only 60-70 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident, but could not recall the actual moment or cause of the crash. According to the Directorate General of Highways, the bus is less than a year old and the driver has no record of major traffic violations except two parking tickets. Investigators have started a detailed probe to identify the cause of the accident, including possible neglect on part of the driver or a possible faulty brake system. An executive of Ubus made a public apology for the unfortunate incident, pledging full cooperation with investigators. When responding to questions raised by legislators, Vice Transportation and Communications Minister Yeh Kwan-shih said his ministry will step up supervision over the operations of public transport firms, including restrictions on drivers' working hours and regular maintenance of the vehicles to reduce traffic mishaps. The accident came less than 24 hours after a giant tanker carrying chemicals overturned at kilometer 202 of the freeway, when the driver veered away from a pickup truck ahead of him that had a blown tire. Road repair work for the damaged areas slowed down north-bound traffic as a result yesterday morning. On the early morning of Oct. 10, seven passengers were killed and 21 others injured after the tour bus carrying them careened off a bridge on a highway in southern Kaohsiung County. The bus, carrying 27 passengers, hit a pickup truck at about 5:30 a.m. before crashing into the retaining wall and falling off the bridge on Freeway No. 3 near Dashu Township. Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here Comments October 16, 2009 ludahai_twn@ Reply The highway police need to crack down on reckless behavior by bus drivers. They constantly tailgate, cut off other drivers, speed, and engage in other behaviors that make the roads unsafe. I see it nearly every day in my commute on two expressways on my daily commute. October 16, 2009 judyhuangtaiwan@ Maybe it would be a good start if Taiwan's traffic police started to implement the rule of law and fine dangerous drivers rather than just giving out speeding tickets. Like taking the license for life from these bus and truck drivers who drive 2 feet behind small cars at 90km/h. What happened to a safe distance? October 16, 2009 wackerbeer13@ The faster you drive the greater the stopping distance required between you and the vehicle in front. There is little evidence of this practice on the roads of Taiwan and such a tragedy as this story reveals are bound to happen. There seems to be a lack of law enforcement for dangerous driving and there's plenty of that going on. However you look at it, it's the people behind the wheel who are ultimately responsible. TV advertisements are often used in other countries to remind people of bad practices when driving, such as drink driving, using a mobile phone, not wearing seat belts and driving to fast just to mention a few l have seen. They work to great effect and save lives. This is a sad story which I fear will be repeated if nothing is done. October 16, 2009 in.sanxia@ Sad evidence that our police are not able, or willing, to enforce the existing laws and protect innocent citizens. After a dozen people have been killed this week, law enforcement will improve for one week, and the police will be back to their usual lack of action. We are a high tech banana republic. October 16, 2009 Atayal4Ever@ Traffic Officers are overworked. When a friend of mine was hit by a drunk driver the police only called him the next day.The reason was that the person was at his work place and nobody answered the phone at the drunk driver’s house! If Pres. Ma can correct this gross negligence then there is no reason why he can't win a second term. October 19, 2009 eddie@ Like I said before, law enforcement in Taiwan is being run more like a business than a law enforcement agency. The police focus their time on speeding tickets and smelling for drunk driving because that is where the easy money is. Now, if they made the fine for tailgating as high as for drunk driving, you bet there will be cops all over tailgaters. |
 The front part of a Ubus bus was smashed after it rammed into a line of vehicles. Four people were killed and eight others injured in the latest major traffic accident on the ... More Photos (2)
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