Taiwan's Executive Yuan Passes Bill to Toughen Penalties for Drug-Impaired Driving, Including Life Imprisonment for Repeat Offenders Causing Death
The Executive Yuan has approved a draft amendment to the Criminal Code, significantly increasing penalties for drug-impaired driving. Repeat offenders who cause death within 10 years could face life imprisonment.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 13:08
- 🔍 Collected: June 11, 2026 at 13:16 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 11, 2026 at 13:17 (0 min after Collected)
The Executive Yuan passed a draft amendment to Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code and other related laws on the 11th, comprehensively strengthening penalties for drug-impaired driving (毒駕). Under the new draft, the penalty for drug-impaired driving will be increased to up to 5 years in prison. Causing serious injury will result in 3 to 10 years, and causing death will result in 5 to 12 years. If a repeat offense within 10 years causes death, the penalty can be life imprisonment or at least 7 years.
To strengthen the prevention of drug use and drug-impaired driving, the Executive Yuan passed the draft amendments to Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China and Article 54 of the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces. The amendments comprehensively increase criminal liability for drug-impaired driving. The drafts will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review.
Under the new draft, drug-impaired driving will be punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$500,000. Causing serious injury will result in 3 to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$2 million. Causing death will result in 5 to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million.
For a repeat offense within 10 years causing serious injury, the penalty is 5 to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million. For a repeat offense within 10 years causing death, the penalty is life imprisonment or at least 7 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to NT$4 million.
Additionally, the draft stipulates that vehicles used in drunk or drug-impaired driving incidents resulting in death or serious injury will be confiscated. If confiscation is not possible, the equivalent value will be recovered.
Under current law, drunk or drug-impaired driving is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$300,000. For active-duty military personnel, the maximum fine is NT$400,000. Causing death by drunk or drug-impaired driving results in 3 to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$2 million. Causing serious injury results in 1 to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$1 million.
To strengthen the prevention of drug use and drug-impaired driving, the Executive Yuan passed the draft amendments to Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China and Article 54 of the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces. The amendments comprehensively increase criminal liability for drug-impaired driving. The drafts will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review.
Under the new draft, drug-impaired driving will be punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$500,000. Causing serious injury will result in 3 to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$2 million. Causing death will result in 5 to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million.
For a repeat offense within 10 years causing serious injury, the penalty is 5 to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million. For a repeat offense within 10 years causing death, the penalty is life imprisonment or at least 7 years in prison, and/or a fine of up to NT$4 million.
Additionally, the draft stipulates that vehicles used in drunk or drug-impaired driving incidents resulting in death or serious injury will be confiscated. If confiscation is not possible, the equivalent value will be recovered.
Under current law, drunk or drug-impaired driving is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$300,000. For active-duty military personnel, the maximum fine is NT$400,000. Causing death by drunk or drug-impaired driving results in 3 to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$2 million. Causing serious injury results in 1 to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$1 million.
FAQ
What is the purpose of this amendment?
To prevent accidents caused by drug-impaired driving and enhance public safety.
When will the amendment take effect?
It is expected to take effect after being passed by the Legislative Yuan and promulgated.
How are fines determined?
Fines are determined by the court based on the specifics of the crime.