Transport ministry mulls tougher penalties for drug-impaired driving

Taipei, June 1 (CNA) The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Monday it is mulling imposing harsher penalties on drivers caught under the influence of narcotics, citing a recent spate of serious traffic accidents involving drug-impaired drivers.

In a news release, the MOTC said it held inter-agency meetings on May 11 and May 27 with the Judicial Yuan, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Police Agency to discuss related legal amendments.

Currently, drug-impaired driving carries both administrative and criminal liability and violates Article 35 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act as well as Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code.

Under the proposed amendments to the traffic law, the current one- to two-year license suspension for drug-impaired driving will be raised to revocation, with a three-year ban on reapplying for a new license.

The licenses of individuals who use Category 1 and Category 2 narcotics will also be revoked, even if they are not driving or have a vehicle, to prevent drug-impaired individuals from potentially getting behind the wheel.

Possession of Category 3 and Category 4 narcotics would result in license suspension.

The MOTC said it will also raise fines for first-time and repeat drug-impaired driving offenders, and introduce penalties for passengers aged 18 or older who knowingly ride with drivers under the influence of narcotics, in order to strengthen deterrence through a shared responsibility mechanism.

However, the MOTC did not specify the amount of the fines in its release.

The ministry said it will also establish a driving eligibility management system for drug-impaired drivers and drug users.

Individuals whose licenses are suspended or revoked will be required to complete drug addiction treatment or drug education programs, and must remain drug-free for a specified period before they can reapply for or renew a driving license, it said.

As a short-term measure, the MOTC said it will prioritize amendments to the Road Traffic Safety Rules, requiring confirmed drug users to complete relevant treatment or education programs and continue to meet eligibility conditions before being allowed to obtain a short-term driving permit or reapply for a driving license.

Data from the Criminal Investigation Bureau showed 4,725 drug-related DUI (driving under the influence) cases have been referred to prosecutors from January to April this year -- three times the number recorded during the same period last year.