Kaohsiung Cracks Down on Drunk and Drugged Driving, Arresting 31 During Holiday

Kaohsiung police launched a major enforcement operation targeting drunk and drugged driving across the city on the night of June 18, coinciding with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The coordinated effort involved 610 officers from 17 police precincts, who set up 51 checkpoints throughout Kaohsiung. During the intensive crackdown, authorities arrested 13 individuals for driving under the influence of drugs and 18 for drunk driving. The operation also led to the capture of 7 fugitives and the resolution of 8 other criminal cases. Police emphasized the severe dangers posed by impaired driving, noting that drug use significantly affects a driver's judgment, concentration, and reaction time, thereby increasing the risk of serious accidents and endangering public safety. The Kaohsiung City Police Bureau stated its commitment to robust enforcement to maintain traffic safety and combat drug-related offenses. Statistics reveal a substantial rise in drug-driving incidents, with 897 cases recorded from January 1 to June 14 this year, compared to 502 cases during the same period last year, an increase of 395 cases. The police department highlighted its continuous efforts to improve legislation and enforcement measures related to drug-impaired driving, including the use of rapid saliva testing kits to enhance the effectiveness of frontline officers in deterring such behavior.

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Drug use after administration seriously affects the driver's judgment, concentration, and reaction speed, making serious traffic accidents extremely likely and severely endangering the lives of road users.