KAOHSIUNG, July 19, 2025 — Songyi Road in Niaosong District, Kaohsiung City, has gained notoriety online, with some netizens dubbing the short 1.8-kilometer stretch the “most dangerous road in Kaohsiung” and likening it to an F1 racing circuit. The road, which links the districts of Niaosong, Sanmin, and Renwu, features both straight and winding sections, attracting both praise and concern from frequent drivers and residents.
A recent post in a local Facebook group sparked renewed attention, where one user described the road as hazardous due to the frequency of accidents. Another netizen shared that he has commuted along Songyi Road daily for three years and has documented over 30 accidents during that time — eight of which occurred just this July.
Opinions on the danger of Songyi Road, however, remain divided. While some argue the road itself is not inherently dangerous and that reckless driving is to blame, others insist that the combination of curves and driver behavior make it a risky area. Comparisons were even drawn with coastal roads, though some pointed out that the coastal highway poses more danger due to heavy vehicle traffic.
Historically, Songyi Road has had a troubling safety record. Between 2015 and 2018 alone, it recorded eight fatal accidents and 227 general traffic incidents. A decade ago, it was a popular spot for motorcyclists to race, particularly on mountain bikes, further increasing the risk.
In response to safety concerns, the Kaohsiung City Government and the Transportation Bureau collaborated to install the city’s first “Interval Average Speed Monitoring System” along Songyi Road. Initially launched for testing in September 2019 and fully enforced by November of that year, the system monitors a vehicle’s average speed over a designated stretch. Originally capped at 40 km/h, the speed limit was later adjusted to 50 km/h, but enforcement remains strict — vehicles exceeding 60 km/h on average are fined.
From November 2019 to July 17, 2025, a total of 8,040 violations were recorded, with 927 offenses logged just in the first half of this year. The highest recorded speed on the road was 108 km/h — more than double the legal limit for standard motorcycles.
Despite the introduction of speed monitoring technology, serious accidents continue to occur. On February 19 of this year, the road saw its first fatality since the enforcement began. A 23-year-old man surnamed Cai collided head-on with a truck driven by a 55-year-old man surnamed Wu. The crash occurred in a monitored section of the road, and Cai was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.
The Renwu Police Station reported that since January, Songyi Road has been the site of 15 additional Category A2 (non-fatal) traffic accidents. Authorities are urging motorists to strictly observe speed limits and traffic rules to prevent further incidents — and to avoid costly fines.
As Kaohsiung continues to improve traffic safety measures, Songyi Road remains a reminder that driver behavior plays a critical role in road safety.
