Legislative Yuan Passes First Reading of Road Traffic Act Amendments: License Revocation and Vehicle Seizure for Drug-Impaired Driving or Refusal to Test

Central News Agency report (by reporter Chen Chun-hua, Taipei, July 13) — To prevent drug-impaired driving, the Transportation Committee of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the first reading of amendments to certain articles of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act today. The amendments stipulate that drivers caught under the influence of drugs or refusing drug testing will have their driver's licenses revoked, and their vehicles seized regardless of ownership. Those who cause serious injury or death due to drug-impaired driving will be banned for life from reapplying for a driver's license.

On June 18, the Executive Yuan approved a draft amendment to the 'Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act,' strengthening penalties for drug-impaired driving and refusal to test. Today, the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee invited Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai and others to attend a review session on the draft amendments.

The Executive Yuan's proposal notes that recent cases of drug-impaired driving resulting in injuries and fatalities have been frequent, and to curb the worsening situation, relevant penalty regulations are being reviewed. Since drug use involves criminal offenses, the danger posed by drug-impaired driving is considered more severe than drunk driving. The amendments passed in the first reading change the penalty for drug-impaired driving from the current license suspension of 1 to 2 years to immediate license revocation.

The amendments also increase fines for drug-impaired driving. First-time offenders face fines of NT$120,000 for motorcycles and NT$150,000 for automobiles. For second offenses, the previous fine amount is increased by NT$90,000; for third and subsequent offenses, an additional NT$90,000 is added each time, with no upper limit on fines. Offending vehicles must be immediately impounded, and the driver's license revoked.

Fines for refusing drug testing are also raised. The first refusal incurs a fine of NT$270,000, the second NT$450,000, and each subsequent refusal adds NT$180,000 to the previous amount, with no upper limit, aiming to increase the cost of repeat offenses. Vehicles used in drug-impaired driving or refusal to test will be seized, even if the driver and vehicle owner are different.

To strengthen the social responsibility of passengers, the amendments introduce fines of between NT$6,000 and NT$15,000 for passengers aged 18 or older riding with a drug-impaired driver.

To prevent incidents before they occur and strengthen source management, the amendments also stipulate that individuals confirmed by police to have used drugs, hallucinogens, narcotics, or similar controlled substances will have their driver's licenses revoked.

A preventive license revocation mechanism for drug users is established. Those whose licenses are revoked due to drug use are barred from reapplying for two years. To reapply, they must complete drug-impaired driving prevention education, observation and detoxification, mandatory rehabilitation, drug addiction treatment, or drug harm awareness courses. Even after completion, a clean record with no further drug use for one year is required before a license can be reissued.

During the license revocation period due to drug-impaired driving, if an individual drives without a license, the fine increases from the current NT$12,000 to NT$36,000, with no upper limit on cumulative fines, and the vehicle will be seized. (Edited by Lin Hsing-meng) 1150713