Legislature approves stricter penalties for traffic violations

Taipei, Dec. 23 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act that raise the penalties for certain traffic violations.

The amendments were passed without objection.

The amendments stipulate that drivers who fail to reduce their speed in areas marked as school or hospital zones and who cause death or injury while bearing criminal liability may face sentences that are increased by up to half of the original penalty.

For cases involving alcohol or drug testing, the amendments revise the starting point of the police reporting deadline to the date that test results are delivered to police units, rather than the date of the violation.

The change addresses administrative loopholes that have posed potential public safety risks, as delays in urine test results have in some cases exceeded the statutory reporting deadline of two months, preventing authorities from suspending offenders' licenses.

Meanwhile, the fine for using a handheld mobile phone, computer or other devices to make calls, talk, send and receive data or perform other actions that can inhibit safe operation while riding a motorcycle has been raised to NT$1,200 (US$38.07) from NT$1,000.

Those driving a car or riding a motorcycle and holding, smoking or lighting a cigarette in ways that endanger public safety will be subject to fines of NT$1,200, up from NT$600 previously.