TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has identified drug-impaired driving as a road safety threat, as deaths from drunk driving continue to decline year by year.
The number of drunk driving deaths and injuries peaked in 2011, reaching 24,980. Due to stricter penalties, increased enforcement, and fines, the number has decreased. Last year, the number of deaths and injuries fell to 8,894, per Liberty Times.
Though fewer in number, with four deaths and 49 injuries at the hands of drug-impaired drivers in January, nearly half of last year’s total deaths, authorities warn that the risk may be higher, as court-mandated saliva testing was only introduced in November and may not be widely implemented across Taiwan.
At the moment, testing may be conducted if drugs are found in a vehicle, if a driver has a prior drug conviction, or if erratic driving is observed. Saliva rapid-test kits can detect eight categories of drugs: benzodiazepines, cannabis, etomidate, opiates, ketamine, methamphetamine, mephedrone, and amphetamine
The legislature also passed the third reading of amendments to Article 101-1 of the Criminal Code on April 17, expanding the scope of preventive detention to include unsafe driving offenses such as drunk driving, drug-impaired driving, and driving while sleep-deprived. Should drivers test positive, prosecutors can authorize the compulsory collection of urine and blood samples for further testing and possible referral for prosecution.
MOTC Department of Railways, Highways, and Road Safety Director-General Wu Tung-ling (吳東凌) said Sunday that the rollout of saliva testing is expected to bring more cases to light, making drug-impaired driving a top enforcement priority, per LTN.
Wu said the ministry has asked the National Police Agency to strengthen enforcement, and a public awareness campaign will launch this year, highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs, according to LTN. The ministry is also considering regularly publishing statistics on drug-impaired traffic fatalities and injuries.
Under Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code, driving under the influence of drugs constitutes a criminal offense regardless of whether an accident occurs. First-time offenders face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to NT$300,000 (US$9,500). Causing serious injury carries a sentence of one to seven years, while causing death is punishable by three to 10 years in prison. Repeat offenders within 10 years may face life imprisonment.
Administrative penalties under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act include fines ranging from NT$15,000 to NT$90,000 for scooter riders and NT$30,000 to NT$120,000 for drivers under the influence of drugs. Vehicles are impounded, driver’s licenses suspended for one to two years, and license plates suspended for two years.
Drivers who refuse drug testing face fines up to NT$180,000, immediate vehicle impoundment, and revocation of their driver’s licenses.
