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The 2024 I Pledge 2.0
and Youth Motorcycle Safety Press Conference is jointly promoted by county and
city governments, as well as domestic and foreign liquor companies, shared
transportation companies, and representatives of automobile and motorcycle safety
associations.
The
city government has enhanced its policy execution and worked with alcohol
companies to co-create safe traffic environment
According
to statistics from Traffic Police Corps, the number of fatalities and injuries
caused by drink-driving has been on the decrease every year, from 272 in 2022
to 267 in 2023 (an average of 23 people per month. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wai-An commends
the efforts to advocate no drink-driving and promote road safety made by TBAF
and alcohol companies over the years. In recent years, the traffic accident
occurrence rate in both Taipei and New Taipei City has gradually declined, indicating
that prevention and advocacy work on drink-driving and safe driving has
achieved significant results. The alcohol companies have proactively engaged in
"I pledge NOT to drink and drive" campaign. Moreover, through
public-private collaboration, concepts on drink-driving prevention, such as “no
drink-driving” and “avoid driving with overnight hangover” have been instilled
in the minds of the people—a fundamental force in the protection of traffic
safety.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an states that between 2021 to 2023, the average number of traffic accidents in Taipei and New Taipei City is 22,134, which accounts for about 77% of total accidents. There is a gradual upward trend from July onward every year. Among these accidents, the number of unlicensed driving incidents begin to increase from June every year. In July the number of violations is quite high, and between July to September, the number of violations is higher than average. He also emphasizes that young people aged 18-24 are a high-risk group for motorcycle accidents. Therefore, this year the Taipei City Government joins hands with TBAF to advocate the "reduction of traffic accidents among motorcyclists aged 18-24". It is now peak season (summer vacation for students) for motorcycle driving license test. The transportation bureaus of both Taipei and New Taipei City continue to promote the motorcycle driving training subsidy policy, offering additional subsidies to encourage the participation of motorcycle driving training. Furthermore, following MOTC Highway Bureau’s subsidy program on “road safety driving training”, the Taipei City government rolls out more incentive by introducing additional subsidy to those who obtain a motorcycle driving license and then complete the “road safety driving training” program. TBAF fully supports this program and has donated 50 full-face helmets to the first 50 people who obtain a motorcycle driver's license and complete the "road safety driving training" course. Taipei Mayor says, "I look forward to enhancing the traffic safety awareness of the youth by working together on promotion and education with TBAF.”
Increase
the impact of drink-driving prevention and promote “I pledge NOT to drink and
drive 2.0” to forge consensus on traffic safety through connecting the
government and the public.
TBAF
Chairperson Terence ONG says: “The ‘I pledge NOT to drink and drive’ campaign
was launched in 2017. The original target was to garner support from 100,000
people in five years. Through
the collaborative efforts of alcohol companies, including corporate employees, distribution
channels, etc., the campaign has solicited more than 200,000 people to join the
pledge within less than five years. In the sixth year (2023), the number
reached nearly 250,000. This shows the strong determination from the alcohol
companies to promote a “no drink-driving” culture and to help the government
co-create and ensure a safer traffic environment. It also represents the common
expectation of the public, prompting us to increase the impact of ‘I pledge NOT
to drink and drive’ campaign. Chairperson ONG elaborates further that:
"With the support of the government and the private sector, this year we
have renamed the campaign as ‘I pledge NOT to drink and drive 2.0’. Four new
focal issues are added, including: ‘both the guests and hosts enjoy themselves
thoroughly but refrain from encouraging more drinking’; ‘control drinking
volume and not topping up more alcohol’; ‘stay away from alcohol if pregnant’; and
‘no drinking under age 18’—covering pregnant women and minors to expand the
scope of influence. As for the ongoing campaign of "no drink-driving",
in light of Taipei City’s Traffic Safety Year, TBAF will work together with the
city government on ‘Youth Motorcycle Safety’. Through advocacy and education,
we endeavor to enhance traffic safety awareness of young people. We want to
strive to achieve the goal of ‘Safe Traffic in Taipei’.”
"I pledge NOT to drink and drive 2.0 & youth motorcycle safety" press conference is co-organized by TBAF and the Taipei City Government. Other sponsors and supporters include: New Taipei City Government, Taoyuan City Government, Keelung City Government, Taiwan Taxi Corp., Chyun Yueh Technology Co. (Taiwan proxy driving), WeMo Corp., French Chamber Taiwan (CCIFT), Taiwan Alcohol Beverage Association (TABA), Taiwan Safe Driving Supervision Alliance, Taiwan Designated Driver Service Association (TDDSA)), Taiwan Car Safety Association, Taiwan Motor Safety Organization, and other enterprises and non-profit organizations. Local and foreign alcohol companies also support this endeavor, they include: Diageo Taiwan Inc., Edrington Taiwan, Moet Hennessy Taiwan, Pernod Ricard Taiwan, William Grant & Sons, CVH Spirits Ltd. Taiwan Branch, Brown-Forman Worldwide Taiwan Branch, Magny International Co., Suntory Global Spirits., Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation (TTL), as well as alcohol distribution channels such as Bao Pin Co., Drinks Co., Jio Group Corp., Ku Tien Booze Co., Ltd., Guo Tai Wine and Spirits Co. In total, there are 15 alcohol companies and more than 500 participants that gather in the Taipei City Hall to make a pledge to show their strong determination to support the “I pledge NOT to drink and drive 2.0” campaign. After the press conference, WeMo Scooter, YouBike & 55688 iLINK will take the lead and invite the distinguished guests, journalists, and employees from alcohol companies to parade on the street with promotional banners. They will walk along Songgao Road from the City Hall to Xiangti Plaza to solicit the public to join the pledge.
“Zero-tolerance
for drink-driving, irrespective of alcohol content and intake volume” should be
the common goal and responsibility for each and every citizen. We hope to
co-create a zero-drink-driving traffic environment. Everyone is invited make a
pledge and join hands to safeguard our traffic environment.
“I pledge NOT to drink and drive” campaign—to
make a pledge, please go to the following website: https://tbaf.org.tw/ipledge/