Kaohsiung driver faces hefty fines for unlicensed and drug-impaired driving

A 50-year-old man in Kaohsiung is facing significant penalties after being stopped for a traffic violation and subsequently found to be driving without a license and under the influence of drugs. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when police observed the man's car making an illegal U-turn on a double yellow line in the Sanmin District.

When officers attempted to pull him over, the driver, identified as Mr. Chen, tried to evade them. During the attempted escape, he collided with an officer before being forcibly apprehended and removed from the vehicle. Police noted a suspicious odor emanating from the car, and a drug test quickly administered to Chen tested positive for methamphetamine.

Further inspection of the vehicle revealed the presence of methamphetamine and an e-cigarette containing ester. Chen admitted to attempting to flee because he was nervous about the drugs hidden in his car. He is now being prosecuted for obstructing official business, reckless endangerment, and violating the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.

In addition to the criminal charges, Chen faces a cascade of fines for his multiple traffic violations. These include penalties for driving without a license, drug-impaired driving (which carries an additional fine for repeat offenses), resisting arrest, and the illegal U-turn. The total potential fines could reach as high as $416,900 New Taiwan dollars.