New drugged-driving rules take effect Oct. 31, with first-time car offenders facing fines of up to NT$150,000
Penalties for refusing a roadside drug saliva test, license revocation and vehicle forfeiture will also increase; eligible adult passengers may be fined.
Stricter penalties for driving under the influence of drugs will take effect on Oct. 31, with first-time offenders fined up to NT$150,000 for cars and NT$120,000 for motorcycles. Adult passengers traveling in the same vehicle may also be fined if they meet the conditions set out in the law. The new rules also increase penalties including driver's license revocation and vehicle forfeiture, with the aim of raising the cost of violations and reducing risks to road safety.
According to a Central News Agency report, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has revised the penalties for drugged driving and refusing testing. First-time offenders face fines of up to NT$150,000 for cars and NT$120,000 for motorcycles. For repeat violations, the fine will increase from the amount imposed for the previous offense, with no upper limit for repeat offenders.
Anyone who refuses a roadside drug saliva test will face a fine of NT$270,000 for a first refusal and NT$450,000 for a second, with further increases for subsequent refusals. Under the new rules, vehicles used in drugged driving or by people who refuse testing may be forfeited by law, regardless of whether the driver owns the vehicle. The existing penalty of driver's license suspension for drugged driving may also be replaced with license revocation and restrictions on retaking the driving test.
In addition, passengers aged 18 or older who meet the conditions for punishment under the revised law may be fined between NT$6,000 and NT$15,000 if they are in a vehicle with a drugged driver. Drugged drivers who cause serious injury or death, as well as repeat offenders, may also face stricter driver's license penalties.
Road safety experts and law enforcement agencies continue to monitor the public risks posed by drugged driving. Once the new rules take effect, their effectiveness will depend on coordinated efforts involving police enforcement, testing procedures, public education and addiction treatment support.
The public should avoid driving any vehicle after using drugs and should not knowingly ride with a driver under the influence of drugs. Anyone who spots a suspected dangerous driving situation can report it to police to help reduce the risk of accidents.