Crime

Legislature Raises Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

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By TaiwanPlus

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The legislature has passed tougher penalties for drug-impaired driving, part of a government push to tackle what is seen as a growing safety problem on Taiwan's roads. The higher fines target not just car drivers but also motorcyclists and bicycle riders, as well as stiff fines for refusing a drug test, and include increased fines and provisions for vehicle confiscation and a possible lifelong driving ban.

Fighting Drug-Impaired Driving

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan has approved tougher penalties for driving under the influence of drugs.

 

First-time offenders face a fine of $4,600 US dollars if driving a car or $3,700 US dollars if riding a motorcycle. Refusing to take a drug test would mean an even higher fine, of at least $8,300 US dollars. Repeat offenders or people who cause collisions resulting in serious injury or death could be banned from driving for life. Driving while on drugs is seen as a growing problem on Taiwan’s roads, even as cases of drunk driving have declined.

 

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Higher Penalties for Driving While on Drugs

 

REPORTER:  

Penalties for drug-impaired driving are going up after the legislature passed amendments to the law on road traffic management.

 

The amendments spell out fines not just for motorists but for people on motorcycles and bikes. Each further offence within five years brings an additional US$2,700 fine on top of the last one, with no upper limit. There are also penalties for those who refuse drug tests and provisions for vehicle confiscation and, in case of serious crashes, for revoking licenses for life. Driving while on drugs has become a growing problem on Taiwan’s roads, even as drunk driving cases fall, and the government has made tackling the problem a priority.