交通事故與動物占有人責任

Vehicle Accident and the Liability of Animal Possessor

民法第190條規範動物占有人之侵權行為責任，而道路交通安全規則亦有「任何人不得疏縱或牽繫畜、禽或寵物在道路奔走，妨害交通。」規定；然而在交通事故方面，牽涉民眾於實際社會生活中如何管領動物，以及車輛駕駛人依道路交通管理處罰條例等法規之駕駛行為判斷。本文針對常見與動物碰撞之交通事故類型，分析司法實務上關於動物占有人「相當注意之管束」認定，並駕駛人是否違反「注意車前狀況」義務，和依動物保護法相關「提防動物」之注意義務，期待在民法及交通法規保障所有用路人的自由及安全下，兼顧鼓勵愛護動物之社會文明，提高法律適用之可預測性。

Article 190 of the Civil Code stipulates the tort liability of an animal possessor, and the Regulations Governing Road Traffic Safety also prohibits anyone from “letting loose or holding his/her livestock, poultry or pets wild on the roads and blocking traffic”. However, in terms of traffic accidents, it concerns about how people manage animals in societal life and the determination of drivers’ driving behaviors in accordance with the Act Governing the Punishment of Violation of Road Traffic Regulations. Focusing on common traffic crashes with animals, this article analyzes judicial practice’s determination regarding “reasonable care in keeping according to the species and nature of the animal”, “lack of attention to situation in front of the vehicle” and the “duty of care to beware of animals” pursuant to the Animal Protection Act with the expectation to increase the foreseeability of law application while protecting the interests of both road users and animals.