Legislature Stiffens Drunk Driving Penalties 酒駕修法三讀 10年內2次累犯公布姓名照片

Under the amendments to the law for drunk driving, authorities can disclose the names, photos, and violations of repeat offenders.

The gavel is hit, signaling that amendments to stiffen penalties for drunk driving have passed the third reading in the legislature. The amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act stipulate that authorities can disclose the name and other information of repeat offenders, which are defined as those committing DUIs for a second time within 10 years. They also increased the fine on passengers to a maximum of NT$15,000. Drunk drivers are also required to retake the driver's license test and can only drive cars with ignition interlock devices. The maximum punishment for violations is NT$120,000.

Chuang Jui-hsiung, Legislator (DPP): “We increased the fines for various drunk driving offenses in order to guarantee a higher level of traffic safety for the people. There are also stricter standards for those wishing to drive after drinking.”

Yeh Yu-lan, Legislator (KMT): “We hope the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Yuan will heed the wishes of the people after the law is amended and actually implement these amendments.”

The amendments also increase the criminal liability of drunk drivers. Drunk drivers that don't cause accidents can now be sentenced to up to three years and fined a maximum of NT$300,000. Repeat offenders that cause accidents can be fined up to NT$3 million and the repeat offense period has also been extended from the current 5 years to 10 years. 

Chen Jiau-hua, Legislator (NPP): “If administrative authorities can integrate the resources of all ministries and perfect the drunk driving handling process, this will be able to effectively reduce DUIs and protect the lives and safety of the people.”

The amendments also included provisions on impaired driving caused by drugs. Impaired driving caused by alcohol or drugs will result in a license plate suspension of two years. If impaired driving results in injuries or death, the vehicles of first-time offenders may be confiscated. Legislators hope these amendments will effectively deter drunk driving.

 

大槌一敲，許多因為酒駕肇事導致家庭破碎的被害人家屬，終於等到酒駕修法三讀通過。這次修法明定主管機關可以公布10年內第2次酒駕的累犯者姓名等資料，也加重同行者處分，最高可處1萬5千元罰鍰。另外也明定，酒駕者重新考駕照，要申請配備有酒精鎖的汽車；如果不依規定，最重處12萬罰鍰。

民進黨立委莊瑞雄說:「酒駕的各項的一個罰款、罰金、刑罰，做一個加重，讓國人同胞可以獲得更高的交通安全的一個保障，也對於酒駕的僥倖心理駕駛，給予嚴厲的一個規範。」

國民黨立委葉毓蘭提到:「修法之後，仍然還要仰賴法務部跟司法院，能夠重視國人的心聲，能夠讓這些法條確實的落實執行。」

這次修法也調高了酒駕刑法的刑度，將酒駕未肇事的刑度，從最重提高到3年，併科罰金提高到30萬元；酒駕再犯肇事，增加併科最高300萬元罰金，再犯年限也延長為10年。

時力立委陳椒華表示:「行政機關能夠整合各部會的資源，完善檢討酒駕的處理流程，有效減少酒駕，保障國人生命安全。」

這次修法也將形同酒駕的毒駕納入規範，駕駛人酒駕或毒駕，可吊扣汽機車牌照2年；如果肇事致人重傷或死亡，初犯可沒入車輛，朝野立委希望透過這次修法，能嚇阻酒駕行徑。