Penalty for Refusing Breathalyzer Test Increased 拒絕酒測 罰18萬+吊駕照3年+吊牌照2年

Earlier this month, a man in Taichung refused to take a Breathalyzer test. The police responded by strictly enforcing the law.

On Feb. 7, a 37-year-old man surnamed Peng temporarily stopped his vehicle at a red curb in Taichung's Beitun District. He was flagged by the police. When he rolled down his window, the strong odor of alcohol flooded out. The police asked him to take a Breathalyzer test, but Peng refused. The police fined him.

Mr. Peng: “How many do you want me to pay?” Police Officer: “This ticket is for you, take it. ”Mr. Peng: “I want to know how much I have to pay. ”Police Officer: “There's no more, I only issued one red ticket. ”Mr. Peng: “You already profited enough with just that one. ”Police Officer: “I would like you to know that I haven't profited. How could I?”

The police issued a NT$180,000 fine to Peng for refusing to take a Breathalyzer test. He also accused the police of profiting from this fine. According to the police, the legislature passed amendments to Article 35 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act on Jan. 24. Previously, people who refused to take Breathalyzer tests were issued a NT$180,000 fine on the spot, their vehicle was confiscated, and their driver's license was suspended for three years. The amendments added an additional penalty, the suspension of the vehicle's license plate for two years. An announcement will be made shortly regarding the amended law, and the police are also promoting it.

Chi Ming-jen, Captain, Shuinan Police Station: “There are new provisions in the amended law. Drivers that refuse to take Breathalyzer tests will have their license suspended for three years and their license plate for two years. We're making these changes known, and asking drivers not to take chances.”

The Taichung police said once the amendments take effect, people who refuse to take Breathalyzer tests will have their license plates suspended for two years. Anyone who continues driving with a suspended license plate can be fined up to NT$10,800.

37歲的彭姓男子這個月7日，在台中北屯區的一處路邊紅線臨停，遇到員警攔查，沒想到車窗搖下來散發渾身酒味，警方要對他進行酒測，但彭姓男子不願配合，警方直接開罰。

彭姓男子：「你是要我繳幾張啦？」員警：「這是單子給你，簽收一下。」彭男：「我想說還要再繳多少？」員警：「沒有、我紅單就開那張而已。」彭男：「那張、你都已經賺那麼多了。」員警：「我就跟你說我沒賺、我怎麼有賺？」

彭姓男子吞下一張18萬元的拒測紅單，還埋怨警方賺很大。警方表示，今年1月24日已修正《道路交通管理處罰條例》第35條，拒絕酒測除了原訂的18萬罰鍰、當場移置保管汽機車、吊銷駕照3年之外，還會新增吊扣牌照2年，新法公告施行在即，警方也加強宣導。

水湳派出所所長紀明仁表示：「新法它有新的規定，如果駕駛人拒測的話，除了吊銷駕照3年之外，他的車牌要吊扣2年，所以這邊正式宣導，所有用路人切勿心存僥倖。」

台中警方表示，新法若正式實施，代表拒測的駕駛人2年後才可領回牌照上路，若吊扣牌照仍繼續行駛，將依《道路交通管理處罰條例》，最高可開罰1萬800元。