Drivers caught driving recklessly on freeways will face a fine of up to NT$36,000 (US$1,182), up from the current maximum penalty of NT$24,000, as Taiwan's Legislature on Friday adopted a slew of stricter traffic rules to improve road safety.
The amendment to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, which cleared the legislative floor on Friday, expanded the definition of dangerous driving behavior regulated under the law to include drivers making U-turns, reversing, and driving in the wrong direction on freeways.
Under the current law, the penalties for such practices, including zigzaging in a dangerous manner, exceeding the maximum speed limit by 60 kilometers per hour, tailgating, forcing other drivers to give their way, range between NT$6,000 and NT$24,000.
The current law also states that illegal overtaking, making U-turn, reversing, or wrong-way driving on freeways is punishable by a fine of between NT$3,000 and NT$6,000.
Under the revised law, the penalty for drivers who causes severe injury or death while driving without license or due to reckless driving shall be increased by one half of the penalty for the original offense.
Currently, in a case of drag racing causing death, the driver could be given a sentence of more than seven years or a life sentence. If it causes severe injuries, it shall be punished by imprisonment for a minimum of three years up to a maximum of 10 years. If a death is caused by a driver driving without license, the punishment is up to seven years in jail.
The passed amendment also doubled the maximum fine for driving regular vehicles or motorcycles without license, or when the driver's driving license is revoked or suspended. The maximum fine has now been set to NT$24,000, and a second such offense within five years shall be fined NT$24,000.
When a driver violates traffic rules and refuses to stop for inspection or flees the scene after being requested by traffic police officers to stop, he or she shall be subject to a fine of NT$15,000 to NT$45,000, in addition to the penalty for that violation, according to the amendment.
Currently, the additional fines for drivers who refuse to cooperate with traffic police officers in inspections range from NT$10,000 to NT$30,000.
Meanwhile, drivers who do not allow pedestrians to pass first, either in pedestrian crossings or other areas designated for pedestrians to cross a road, will face a fine of between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000, up from NT$1,200 to NT$3,600, according to the amendment.
If such a violation results in injuries or death, the driver faces a higher fine ranging from NT$7,200 to NT$36,000, and could have their driving license suspended for one year or revoked.
