New regulations that impose harsher penalties on drunk drivers took effect Sunday, with those caught driving under the influence without causing an accident now subject to a prison sentence of three years, up from two years previously.
The tougher penalties came into being after the Legislative Yuan passed amendments of the Criminal Code and the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act on Jan. 24.
In addition to facing a jail term of up to three years, drunk drivers can now also be fined up to NT$300,000, up from a maximum of NT$200,000 previously in addition to the jail sentence.
Repeat offenders, considered under the new regulations to be anyone caught driving while drunk a second time within a 10-year period, up from a five-year period previously, can have their names and photos made public in addition to the other penalties.
Under the revised Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, passengers aged 18 or over in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver could also face a fine of up to NT$15,000, up from NT$3,000.
No change was made to the jail terms stipulated in the Criminal Code for drunk drivers who cause the death or injury of another person, but the revisions allowed judges to fine offenders an additional NT$2 million for causing a death or NT$1 million for causing serious injuries.
Drivers who cause a death while driving drunk are still subject to jail terms of three to 10 years, and those who cause serious injuries can face a jail term of one to seven years.
Repeat offenders causing deadly accidents are punishable by a minimum jail sentence of five years to life in prison and can also be fined up to NT$3 million, while those causing serious injuries can be fined up to NT$2 million in addition to getting a three to 10 year jail term.
Other changes included mandatory alcohol interlocks on vehicles of drunk driving offenders who obtain a new driver’s license.
The new law raises the fine for individuals caught driving a car without such a device from between NT$6,000 and NT$12,000 to between NT$60,000 and NT$120,000.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel