A top judicial official says confiscating the vehicles of drunk drivers is a flawed policy that poses a number of potential issues. Judicial Yuan Criminal Affairs head Peng Hsing-ming’s comments on Friday come as lawmakers carry out a review of drunk driving legislation.
Peng says calls to mandate the confiscation of drunk drivers’ vehicles could affect other people’s right to property. That’s because the drunk driver may have rented or borrowed the vehicle from someone else. In addition, the driver would still be free to use other vehicles, which raises doubts over whether confiscation is enough to deter drunk driving.
Moreover, Peng says Taiwan’s Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act also stipulates that police should confiscate vehicles from second-time offenders who kill or injure others.
Another proposal lawmakers have put forward is requiring drunk drivers to have an ignition interlock device on their cars. An ignition interlock device is, in essence, a breathalyzer installed in cars that can prevent the car from starting if it detects alcohol.
Transport ministry official Chen Wen-jui says Taiwan should wait until the devices are more commonly used internationally before considering making them obligatory for those with a record of drunk driving.