Taipei: The Legislative Yuan has enacted amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, introducing stricter penalties for drug-impaired driving. These changes, approved on Tuesday, are aimed at curbing incidents of driving under the influence of narcotics.
According to Focus Taiwan, the amendments proposed by the Executive Yuan on June 18 include replacing the current penalty of a one- to two-year driver's license suspension with a license revocation and a three-year ban on reapplying for a license. Additionally, those causing major injury or death while driving under the influence will face a lifelong revocation of their licenses.
The new regulations also impose increased fines for drug-impaired driving. First-time offenders will be fined up to NT$150,000 for driving a car and NT$120,000 for riding a motorcycle. Repeat offenders will face progressively higher penalties, with an additional NT$90,000 added for each subsequent offense, with no cap on the accumulated amount.
Drivers who refuse drug impairment tests will incur fines of NT$270,000 for a first offense and NT$540,000 for a second offense. Further offenses will result in an additional NT$180,000 per offense, without a maximum limit. Furthermore, these individuals will have their licenses revoked and be barred from reapplying for three years.
In cases of both drug-impaired driving and test refusal, police are authorized to impound the vehicle on the spot, regardless of ownership. Passengers aged 18 or older who knowingly ride with a drug-impaired driver will face fines ranging from NT$6,000 to NT$15,000.
The amendments also empower police to preemptively revoke the licenses of individuals confirmed to have used narcotics or other controlled substances. Such individuals will be prohibited from reapplying for two years and must complete drug addiction treatment and education programs, as well as demonstrate a year of being drug-free before they are eligible for a new license.
Individuals caught driving after their licenses have been revoked for drug-impaired driving will face increased fines of NT$36,000, with no limit for repeat violations, and their vehicles will be confiscated.
The new legislation also targets operators of slow-moving vehicles, such as bicycles and pedal-assist electric bicycles. Riding these vehicles under the influence will lead to fines between NT$2,400 and NT$12,000, and those refusing drug tests will be fined NT$24,000 and barred from continuing to ride.
In its proposal, the Executive Yuan highlighted the rising number of drug-impaired driving cases as a significant concern, noting that narcotics use is a criminal offense and poses greater risks than drunk driving.