Lawmakers raise fine cap for drunk driving to NT$90,000

Legislators across party lines backed the bill, which sailed through third reading yesterday, according to Transportation Committee (交通委員會) convener Wei Ming-ku (魏明谷), of the Democratic Progressive Party.

“Mainly we were responding to societal expectations for strengthening the penalty,” he said.

Currently, drunk driving is punishable by a one-year license suspension and a fine between NT$15,000 to NT$60,000, according to Article 35 of the Act Governing the Punishment of Violation of Road Traffic Regulation (道路交通管理處罰條例).

Drunk driving will soon be punishable with fines ranging between NT$15,000 and NT$90,000, plus license suspension, according to the bill that passed third reading on Monday. The bill is effective upon executive approval.

If a driver commits a second drunk driving offense within five years, police may levy an instant NT$90,000 fine.

If a driver refuses to comply with a breathalyzer test, he may be fined up to NT$90,000 and have his license terminated. The driver will also see his vehicle impounded and be required to take a safety course.

Police statistics show that the recidivism rate for drunk driving is very high — the new bill is a measure against this phenomenon, said Wei on Monday.

Legislators also tightened other traffic controls on Monday.

Reckless and disruptive drivers are soon to face a revocation of their license for three years in addition to a fine, according to new amendments. Punishable offenses are weaving in traffic, racing on public roads, disconnecting the muffler or otherwise altering a vehicle to create public disturbance.

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