Taiwan police deploy 1,200 drug saliva test kits to combat impaired driving

Changhua County Police Bureau in Taiwan has bolstered its efforts against drug-impaired driving with the arrival of 1,200 rapid saliva test kits. This initiative follows a series of four fatal and multiple injury incidents attributed to drug-impaired drivers in early May.

The first batch of 1,200 drug saliva rapid test kits has been received and accepted, and immediately distributed to various police precincts. These kits will empower frontline officers to conduct immediate on-the-spot screenings when they encounter drivers exhibiting erratic behavior, such as unstable driving, sudden acceleration or braking, confusion, or appearing dazed. The tests are intended for drivers reasonably suspected of drug impairment, not for random stops.

Police statistics show 330 drug-impaired driving cases and 1,123 drunk driving cases were recorded from January 1 to May 31 this year. The bureau emphasizes that positive results from the saliva tests will lead to immediate referral to the prosecutor's office. Authorities will also seek pre-trial detention for offenders and pursue homicide charges for those whose drug-impaired driving results in fatalities, applying the theory of "reasoned free action."

Changhua County Police Bureau Chief Chen Shih-huang stated that the bureau, in conjunction with the Changhua District Prosecutors Office, held a joint press conference to announce a strict crackdown on drug-driving crimes. The commitment is to prosecute swiftly and severely, demonstrating a firm resolve to combat drug-related offenses and safeguard public safety and property.

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For drug driving cases, the county police bureau and the Changhua District Prosecutors Office jointly held a joint press conference to crack down on drug driving crimes. We will uphold the stance of strict and swift handling and severe prosecution, demonstrating our determination to combat drug driving crimes and protect the safety of people's lives and property.