Changhua Police Launch Crackdown on Drug and Drunk Driving, 48 Cases Caught in 2 Days

Central News Agency, Changhua County, May 25. Following consecutive drug-related driving accidents in Changhua City on the 22nd and 23rd that caused casualties, the Changhua County Police Bureau launched a high-intensity crackdown. Statistics show that 12 cases of drug driving and 36 cases of drunk driving were caught on the 23rd and 24th. So far this year, 229 cases of drug driving and 965 cases of drunk driving have been detected. On the night of the 22nd, a small truck suspected of drug driving caused an accident on Section 3, Zhangnan Road, Changhua City, resulting in 2 deaths and 3 injuries. Additionally, on the 23rd, a gravel truck crashed into the opposite lane on Donggu Road, Changhua City, hitting a car and a motorcycle, injuring 2 people. The driver of the gravel truck tested positive in a rapid drug test. In response, the Changhua County Police Bureau launched a comprehensive high-intensity crackdown to strictly enforce laws against drug and drunk driving. The Changhua County Police Bureau announced today that during the enhanced enforcement on the 23rd and 24th, they caught 12 cases of drug driving, 36 cases of drunk driving, and a total of 705 major traffic violations. Statistics up to the 24th of this year show 229 cases of drug driving and 965 cases of drunk driving, with 17 people detained for serious offenses. In addition to tracing drug sources, police are strengthening road checks and inspecting suspicious vehicles. Within 20 days, two drug driving accidents in Changhua County have caused 4 deaths, and a drug driving accident in New Taipei City on the 23rd also resulted in 1 death and 1 injury to elderly sisters. In response to the series of accidents, the National Police Agency is strengthening drug enforcement and working with the Ministry of Transportation to include drug driving in regular license management mechanisms and add penalties for passengers in vehicles with drug-impaired drivers. Premier Cho Jung-tai has also instructed the Ministry of Justice to review legal norms, aiming to increase criminal penalties and focus on prevention to enhance deterrence.