The government is considering breaking drug-impaired driving out as a
distinct offense from drunk driving, with harsher penalties attached.

Transport Minister Chen Shih-kai made the announcement yesterday during a
legislative committee hearing, following a string of serious accidents
involving drug-impaired drivers.

One crash on May 4th left two people dead and two others injured.

K-M-T lawmakers raised the issue, noting that drug driving and drunk driving
currently carry mostly the same penalties, despite drug use itself already
being a criminal offense.

Legislator Wan Mei-ling called for the two categories to be legally
decoupled, with stricter penalties applied specifically to drug-impaired
driving.

Minister Chen agreed the criminal liability should differ from that for drunk
driving, especially when injury or death results.

Officials from the transportation and interior ministries are set to meet
Monday to discuss possible amendments, including joint liability provisions
for passengers.

(CNA-PB)