Taiwan’s Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a bill to amend the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act that will increase fines for driving recklessly and without a license.
The bill was proposed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and if passed by the Legislature will double the fine for driving scooters and cars without a license from NT$12,000 to NT$24,000 (US$811.85).
The proposed amendment imposes a maximum fine of NT$24,000 on drivers of cars and NT$80,000 for large vehicles when a second offence is committed within five years.
It also empowers the authorities to confiscate the vehicle of individuals driving without a license who cause bodily harm or fatal accidents.
Moreover, driving without a license and refusing to stop for the police or fleeing the scene will incur an additional fine of between NT$15,000 and NT$45,000.
The proposed amendment additionally increases punishments for those who drive without a license — or drive while their license is revoked, suspended or terminated — and cause bodily harm to others. They face a ban of four years or the possibility of a lifetime ban, depending on the severity of the offence.
In addition, the bill imposes a maximum fine of NT$36,000 for reckless driving, including illegal U-turns, reversing or driving the wrong way on a freeway.
The proposed amendment also empowers courts to order a 50 percent increase in the relevant criminal sentence for reckless drivers and those driving without a license who cause serious bodily harm or fatal accidents.
Lin Fu-shan (???), director-general of the MOTC’s Department of Railways and Highways, said the ministry hopes the amendments will take effect at the end of 2022.
In Taiwan, around 36,000 cases of people under 18 driving without a license and 156,000 involving those over 18, occur every year.
There are also 256,000 cases annually that involve individuals driving without a valid license after having their license revoked, suspended or terminated.
Following approval by the Cabinet on Thursday, the bill will be forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for review.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel