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Police crack down on drunk drivers

Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien, leaning into the car, and National Police Administration chief Wang Chin-wang, right, educate a motorist in Taipei yesterday about new regulations for drunk-driving. PHOTO: LIAO RAY-SHANG, TAIPEI TIMES

The National Police Administration reported yesterday that the number of drivers operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol was down by about one-half on the first night after the implementation of new, harsher traffic regulations.

According to the new traffic regulations that came into effect yesterday, police will not only hand out tickets and suspend the driver's license of those found to be drinking and driving, they will also detain the vehicles of violators.

The National Police Administration said that 6,199 police officers were mobilized nationwide during the first night of the new regulations, adding that by 6am, the police had stopped 51,592 vehicles and conducted 6,148 tests for blood alcohol levels.

Police reported that 278 drivers and 208 motorcyclists were detained on the spot. As there will be no claim service during the weekends, the violators will have to wait until today at the earliest to reclaim their vehicles after paying their fines, towing fees and maintenance fees.

Crackdown * 6,199 police officers were mobilized for the first night of tougher drunk-driving laws. * 51,592 vehicles were stopped. * 6,148 tests for blood-alcohol levels were conducted. * 278 car drivers and 208 motorcyclists were detained on the spot. * In Taipei, police impounded the vehicles of 38 car drivers and 39 motorcyclists after they were tested.

Police reported that the 486 drinking-and-driving cases was about one-half of the average number of 1,000 per night when police were deployed for spot checks during the previous few months, indicating that the implementation of stiffer penalties is proving effective in reducing the number of drunk drivers.

Under the new regulations, the punishment for driving under influence of alcohol is a fine ranging from NT$15,000 to NT$60,000, depending on the size of the vehicle driven and on the alcohol level in the driver's blood.

Meanwhile, Taipei City police reported that by early yesterday morning, 38 car drivers and 39 motorcyclists had their vehicles impounded after being tested for the alcohol level in their blood.

In Kaohsiung, Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) joined police in front of a department store in the city's downtown to publicize the new traffic regulations. Police stopped passing vehicles to conduct alcohol tests, and Hsieh advised the drivers to heed the new safety regulations.

By 3am, the police had impounded five automobiles and 21 motorcycles. Two drivers were detained on public hazard charges because the alcohol level in their blood was alarmingly high.
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