10-vehicle freeway pile-up leaves 4 injured

Three people were injured after a a multi-vehicle crash involving 9 cars and a heavy truck on National Highway 3 in Hsinchu County this morning, Thursday, October 27.

National Highway police said they received a report of a chain collision in the southbound lanes of the freeway at the 98.5 kilometer mark near the Baoshan Interchange at 8:15 am.

According to the preliminary investigation, a 33-year-old driver, named Chuang, is suspected of failing to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him. After crashing into the vehicle, six cars traveling behind Chuang crashed in succession, then a large truck ploughed into the rear-most vehicles.

Four people were injured, of which three were rushed to hospital by ambulance, and one sought medical treatment on his own. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

Police tested the nine drivers involved and found that none were affected by alcohol. The accident caused a severe traffic jam in the southbound lanes until the site was finally cleared at around 10:00 am.

Highway police said that failing to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front was the most common cause of traffic accidents on freeways, and that drivers could be liable to a fine of between NT$3,000 to NT$6,000 for following too close to the vehicle in front. If an accident occurs resulting in serious injury or death, the driver can also have his or her license suspended or revoked.

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