Taiwan police start enforcing new rules against drunk driving

Officials of the National Police Agency (NPA) said the agency will coordinate four island-wide inspections every month while law enforcement of various local municipal and county governments will carry out four inspections on their own.

The officials did not reveal when and where motorists and motorcyclists will be stopped for inspections, but they are widely expected to be conducted on weekends, including evenings and early mornings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday — peak hours for holiday revelry.

Near areas with high concentrations of restaurants, pubs and other leisure spots, drivers will be more frequently stopped for alcohol tests — and much harsher fines will be meted out to drivers with alcohol content exceeding the limit.

Those with alcohol content exceeding 0.55 ml on breath tests or with a ratio of alcohol surpassing 0.11 percent will be liable for fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, in accordance with recent revisions to the Criminal Code, as ratified by the Legislative Yuan on Dec. 18.

Motorists and motorcyclists driving under the influence of other substances, including medicines and illegal drugs, will also face the same hefty fines for posing a threat to public safety.

Offenders involved in more serious cases will be jailed up to 12 months under the new regulations, said NPA officials. They suggested that partygoers take taxis home — for the sake of their safety, and that of others.

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