MOI Proposes Legal Amendments to Restrict Driver's Licenses for Individuals with Drug Use History as a Preventive Measure

(CNA, Taipei, May 18, by reporter Kao Hua-chien) Drug-driving incidents have been frequent recently. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said today that it has been in frequent communication with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) about amending the law. In addition to heavier penalties for drunk driving and accomplice liability, it hopes to adopt preventive measures, possibly starting with restricting driver's license possession. For example, whether to suspend licenses during drug rehabilitation, and whether those with a history of drug use should undergo a health assessment when applying for a license, are under discussion. Recently, drug-driving incidents have been frequent, with one on the morning of May 4 where a man surnamed Kao caused a crash resulting in 2 deaths and 2 injuries, drawing public attention. Some legislators have called for decoupling the penalties for drug-driving and drunk-driving. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai said on the 6th that drug use itself is a crime, and if someone uses drugs and drives, injuring people, the penalties should differ from drunk driving. A meeting was scheduled with the MOI on the 11th to discuss decoupling and to consider accomplice liability rules. The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee today reviewed the MOI's fiscal year 115 central government budget proposal, with Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang and others present for questioning. DPP Legislator Huang Chieh asked about the progress of legal amendments between the MOI and MOTC regarding the serious harm caused by drug driving. Liu Shih-fang stated that there has been frequent communication with the MOTC. A proposal to amend the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act is now being put forward to increase penalties for drunk driving and to include accomplice liability, which the MOI supports in principle and will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review. Liu said she mentioned to Chen Shih-kai that drug-driving and drunk-driving cannot be treated equally. Drunk driving can be immediately tested for alcohol during a stop, 'but with drug-driving, it's wrong as soon as they get behind the wheel.' Therefore, she hopes to adopt preventive measures and is grateful that judicial and prosecutorial authorities have already adopted preventive detention. Liu pointed out that preventing drug offenders from getting behind the wheel requires coordination with the MOTC, as the MOTC believes enforcement can only happen when there is driving behavior. However, because drug users are a public order concern and cannot focus on traffic safety, and the accidents they cause are usually very severe, regulations on the driving rights of those with a history of drug use still need to be discussed with the MOTC. However, at the May 11 legal amendment meeting, accomplice liability for drug-driving and passengers was already under discussion and will be sent to the Legislative Yuan for review as soon as possible. Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan told CNA after the meeting that the hope is not to wait until a drug user is on the road to manage them, but to possibly start with license restrictions. For example, whether to suspend the licenses of those in rehabilitation for using Class 1 or 2 drugs, whether to set an observation period and suspend licenses for those involved with Class 3 or 4 drugs, or whether those with a drug use record should undergo a health assessment when applying for a license. These can be handled in the Road Traffic Act and related sub-laws and have already been discussed with the MOTC, with details being worked out. Ma emphasized that the main goal is source management. Conceptually, it's not necessary to wait for a drug-driving incident to act. Instead, if there is a criminal record or history of drug use, the discussion will be on whether to restrict their driver's license possession. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150518