Improving Campus Safety: The Use of Speed Detector at DongHua University

Transportation vehicles are huge assets in the fast-moving era that we live in, especially at DongHua University, located in the largest county in Taiwan. The school ground encompasses a vast area of approximately 620 acres and depending on the building one is heading to, the walking distance ranges from a few minutes to half an hour. As a result, owning a vehicle in forms of a bicycle, a scooter, a motorcycle, and even a car is common among the university’s students. There are hundreds of students moving from one place to another every hour of the day, either rushing to the next class or speeding to get seats at their favorite restaurant before it gets crowded, the potential for accident looms in every corner. To mitigate such risks and encourage drivers to adhere to speed limits, the implementation of speed-detecting devices becomes crucial.

According to the statistics provided by the secretary's office of DongHua University for the years 104 to 110, there were a total of 926 vehicle accidents on and off campus. The causes of accidents were mainly because of self-falling, failure to keep a safe distance, and non-compliance with street safety regulations. Over the years, motorcycles have been responsible for the majority of traffic accidents among the various mode of student transportation; primarily due to speeding, driving in non-motorcycle lanes, and inexperienced or unlicensed drivers.

The idea to install speed detectors was initially proposed in January 2009, but the project got postponed until February 2021, with the installation completed in September of the same year. Several improvements can be seen just a few months after its application in 2021’s Traffic Accident Statistics and Analysis. The total number of accidents decreased by 39 in total (a 26.2% reduction). Additionally, accidents involving motorcycles saw a decline by 6.8%.

Apart from speeding-related accidents, the design of crossroads at the rear and front gates of the university poses an additional issue. The statistics reveal that most traffic accidents occur in these areas, likely due to multiple vehicles crossing the streets simultaneously, exacerbating the risks associated with speeding. In the past, the student union had invited experts who opinionated that the University should prioritize the improvement of the road designs, doing so may plummet the number of accidents at the crossroads by a landslide.

To sum up, DongHua University should definitely implement vehicle speed detectors on the school grounds considering that its’ application did improve the safety of drivers, as well as decrease the number of accidents caused by speeding. The utilization of the speed detecting devices does not only ensure the safety of motorcycle or car drivers themselves but also the safety of other students around them. However, it should be added that the University should also start re-designing the road plan for the rear and front gates. By combining speed detectors and improved road design, DongHua University can create a safer environment for its students and foster responsible driving habits on campus.