As a long-term advocate for drink-driving prevention, TBAF would like to highlight that, according to RTSC’s statistics (footnote 1), peak times for drink-driving are at 16:00-20:00 and 20:00-24:00. This figure shows that daytime drink-driving accidents do occur, counter to the general concept that most drink-driving incidents take place at night. Therefore, TBAF and the MOTC have selected “Be careful! Avoid unconscious drink-driving” as the primary focus of the “I pledge NOT to drink and drive” campaign. It calls for the attention of the general public to avoid the situation of driving without realizing that one is under the influence of alcohol. It also mentions the importance of “zero tolerance for drink-driving”—when one consumes alcohol, one should not drive and should use a designated driver. Alcohol knowledge and education is offered to help people understand “the definition of being drunk or under the influence of alcohol”.
Famous YouTuber EyeCTV (a mock news report) host “Retina” has been invited to work on the promotional film, making appeals to all walks of society through this new media. In addition, MOTC Deputy Minister Chen appeals to the general public on “at the peak season of year-end gatherings and parties, be very cautious about unconscious drink-driving, no matter it occurs during the day or night; and pay particular attention to liquid that contains alcohol, including sesame chicken soup, ginger duck soup, medicinal rib bone soup, low alcohol beverages…etc. When traveling on the weekend, for example enjoying outing in nature, one must avoid drink-driving and never take any chance. It is imperative to avoid drink-driving, which would endanger the road users. Together let’s safeguard traffic environment.”
TBAF
has continued the advocacy of “no drink-driving” with MoTC for over a decade.
In 2018, TBAF has been working together with the MOTC on promoting the
awareness of “avoid driving with hangover the next morning”, and related death
toll has dropped 30% in 2020. TBAF Chairman Michael Chin (鄭健發)
says: “we’ve noted that, besides being rather surprised about the occurrence
rate of driving with hangover the next morning, people are quite shocked when
they learn of the drink-driving peak hours are at 16:00-20:00. We’ve also
noticed that most people lack proper understanding of alcohol beverage, such as
the alcohol content level, how it affects your bodily functions and metabolism,
blood alcohol range and its effect on driving, etc. Therefore, we are using
popular self-media for promotional work on being vigilant about the danger of
unconscious drink-driving after consuming food and beverage that contains
alcohol at year-end gatherings and dinners, and this funny and debating style
is quite favored by the youth. We highlight the concept of ‘do not drink and
drive’ and in the future, TBAF will employ big data analysis to formulate
strategies on our advocacy work. We will continue to work together with the
MOTC to bring down the death toll and casualties from drink-driving accidents.
In
order to help prevent the danger of unconscious drink-driving, TBAF has invited
police officers from the Taipei City Police Bureau to share stories of such
cases, to remind people of traffic safety, and also elaborate on the focus of
traffic law enforcement at year-end: “Each drink-driving accident causes harm
to the lives and properties of people, so the police agencies attach great
importance to these types of violations, and we will continue to strengthen our
enforcement. Of the many drink-driving incidents that we’ve come across, what
left me with a deep impression is a recent case involving a drink-driver who is
not aware of laws and regulations and thinks that it is ok to drive the next
morning after drinking. However, when that person is stopped by the police for
sobriety test, the result is over the safety threshold. We suggest that people
should be more aware and knowledgeable that it takes some time and rest for
alcohol to be metabolized and should be stricter about utilizing vehicles the
next day.” Lastly, the police officers will speak more on current regulations
governing drink-driving and related penalties. (footnote 2)
Famous
youtuber EyeCTV has worked together with TBAF and the MOTC on a promotional
film, which will be broadcasted on 6 January on the EyeCTV facebook and youtube
channel, as well as on TBAF’s facebook. In addition, a podcast program (歷史下酒菜)
will be released tonight (15 December), and also shown on its facebook and
instagram.
Footnote
1: Source: statistics from the police administration https://reurl.cc/em2qjb
Footnote
2: Source: statistics from the police administration https://reurl.cc/em2qjb
Footnote
3: Amended regulations of the “Traffic Management and Penalty Act” took effect
on 1 July 2019. Penalties on drink-driving offence have been increased. Key
points of the amendments are as follow:
1.
Increased fine. First-time offender: Car
NT$30,000-NT$120,000, Motorcycle NT$15,000-NT$90,000.
2.
Aggravated penalties for repeat offender: 2nd recidivism within 5 years are penalized
with the highest fine (Car NT$120,000, Motorcycle NT$90,000.). 3rd recidivism will be penalized with an
additional NT$90,000 with each occurence of offence.
3.
Aggravated penalties for refusal of sobriety test:
first-time offender: NT$180,000; 2nd recidivism within 5 years and repeat
offence after: increase of NT$180,000 each time. In the event of an accident or
death, the vehicle will be immediately confiscated, the driver’s license will
be revoked and no further examinations will be allowed.
4.
Shared responsibility for drink-driving and car sharing:
Passengers in the same car who are over 18 years of age with a drink-driving
driver will be fined NT$600-NT$3,000 (except for passengers who are over 70
years of age or older, mentally impaired, and passengers in the automobile
transportation industry).
5.
Aggravated penalties for slow-moving vehicles and refusal
to sobriety test: Slow-moving vehicles (pedal bicycles, electric-assisted
bicycles, electric bicycles, slow-moving vehicles with more than three wheels,
etc.) is fined NT$600-NT$1,200 for drink-driving, and NT$2,400 for refusal to
sobriety test.
6.
After the driver’s license is revoked for drink-driving,
it is mandatory to install an ignition interlock device (so-called alcohol
lock) according to the regulations (implemented in March 2020): Those who
refuse to install, or those who blow the alcohol lock on behalf of others will
be fined NT$6,000-NT$12,000.