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Taiwan Toughens Up DUI Laws
August 29, 2013 posted by Steve Brownstein
Starting last June, it became illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level at or above 0.03 percent or 0.15 ml ethanol per liter of breath, the National Police Agency (NPA) announced yesterday, in a move that further lowers the legal alcohol blood content for drivers.
The NPA said that Taiwan has followed Japan to officially adopt a zero tolerance for drunk driving.
According to the NPA, a 70-kilogram adult who drinks one beer may breach the allowable DUI blood-alcohol limit and thus be liable for a fine. Drinking two beers or more and then operating a vehicle could result in imprisonment.
The Legislative Yuan recently revised the Criminal Code to lower the blood alcohol limit. Those found to have driven with a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.25 ml of ethanol per liter of breath will face imprisonment. This is lowered from the original exceeding 0.55 ml. While those who drive with a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.15 ml ethanol per liter of breath will face fines.
The regulations stated that violators who cause any injuries may face a maximum of seven years in prison. If fatalities are caused as a result of DUI, the driver will be sentenced to a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The Transportation Ministry and the Ministry of the Interior also jointly decided to lower the permissible blood alcohol content for driving to 0.03 percent to further deter DUI cases. Violators will be fined a minimum of NT$15,000 to a maximum of NT$90,000. These penalties would potentially be additional to those handed out by the NPA.
Taipei City's Traffic Division said that according to the newly revised road traffic regulations, drivers in Taipei who severely endanger the safety of other people on the roads and record a blood alcohol level of over 0.18 ml will be brought to court.
The DUI limit for riding a bicycle has been lowered to 0.15 ml ethanol per liter of breath, according to the NPA, adding that violators will be fined between NT$300 and NT$600.
NPA statistics showed that there have been 50,326 DUI cases between January of this year and May, with 125 fatalities related to DUI.
Minimum Two-Year Imprisonment for Taking Drugs and Driving
Drivers who test positive for drugs will be sentenced to a minimum of two months and a maximum of 10 years in prison, according to the revised Criminal Code.
The NPA said that the newly revised Article 185-3 to the Criminal Code now includes those who drive a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs.
According to the Criminal Code, if the offense results in death, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than one year but less than seven years. If the offense results in serious physical injury, the offender will be sentenced to imprisonment of no less than six months.
