Councilor Questions 572-Fold Increase in DUI Drug Arrests in 3 Years; Taichung Police Vow to Step Up Enforcement

(CNA) -- Democratic Progressive Party Taichung City Councilor Chen Yu-jung questioned why the number of individuals transferred for driving under the influence of drugs in Taichung City surged from 2 in 2023 to 1,145 in 2025, a staggering 572-fold increase. The Taichung City Police Bureau stated today that it will strengthen enforcement, having already apprehended 715 cases in the first five months of the year.

Chen Yu-jung cited city government data indicating that cases transferred for prosecution due to "drug driving" in Taichung City jumped from 2 individuals in 2023 to 1,145 individuals in 2025, a 572-fold rise. She questioned the insufficient cross-departmental coordination within the city government and loopholes in public transportation oversight, urging the city government to tighten its resolve, comprehensively review prevention mechanisms, and safeguard citizens' lives and property.

Chen Yu-jung believes that according to city government data, traffic accidents with injuries and fatalities caused by drug driving in Taichung City are also continuously increasing. In 2023, there was only 1 drug-driving traffic accident resulting in 2 injuries; however, by 2025, there had been 6 drug-driving traffic accidents, tragically causing 3 deaths and 5 injuries. In the first two months of this year alone, 4 drug-driving accidents occurred, resulting in 5 injuries. This is deeply concerning, as drug driving has become a significant road safety hazard.

The Taichung City Police Bureau stated that the police are cooperating with the National Police Agency to revise the "Operational Procedures for Intercepting and Investigating Suspected Drug Driving," strengthening roadside checks and enforcement for suspected drug driving cases. Anyone who tests positive via saliva rapid screening, or refuses testing and is deemed incapable of driving safely, will be arrested on the spot in accordance with the law. From January to May this year, 715 drug driving cases have been apprehended, demonstrating the continued determination to combat drug driving.

In addition to strengthening law enforcement, the City Police Bureau pointed out that it continues to collaborate with the Taichung District Prosecutors Office to actively apply for preventive detention in major drug driving cases and to enhance public awareness of the dangers of drug driving and relevant penalties through cross-departmental publicity campaigns.

The City Police Bureau emphasized that the central government is currently considering legislative amendments to increase penalties for drug driving, including raising fines, revoking driver's licenses with a three-year ban on re-application, increasing fines for refusing drug tests, and introducing provisions for joint passenger liability. In addition to administrative penalties, drug drivers will also face criminal responsibility for offenses such as endangering public safety. The police will continue to enforce the law rigorously to protect the traffic safety of citizens. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 0621