To aggressively curb drugged driving, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office has issued a nationwide mandate instructing all district prosecutors offices to actively apply for "preventive detention" in accordance with the newly amended Article 101-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which took effect on May 15, 2026. Demonstrating iron-fisted law enforcement, the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office filed motions for the preventive detention of two repeat offenders, surnamed Shen and Tsai, who repeatedly took to the road under the influence. Both motions have been successfully approved by the court.

Case Details

• The Case of Defendant Shen According to the investigation, the defendant, Shen-ming, drove a vehicle after using amphetamines on June 11, 2026. He rear-ended a motorcycle on Linsen East Road in Chiayi City, injuring the rider, and immediately fled the scene. Following a police pursuit and arrest, his saliva rapid test returned positive for drugs. After interrogation, Duty Prosecutor Kuo Chih-ming determined that Shen was suspected of drugged driving, negligent bodily harm, and hit-and-run. Assessing a high risk of repeated offenses, the prosecutor filed a motion for detention on the same day, which was subsequently granted.

• The Case of Defendant Tsai Another defendant, Tsai-ta, drove a vehicle after using ketamine on June 14, 2026, and caused a traffic accident on Liren Road in Chiayi City. Upon arriving at the scene, police seized ketamine-laced cigarettes, and Tsai’s saliva rapid test also yielded a positive drug reaction. Following interrogation, Duty Prosecutor Lin Chun-liang determined that Tsai was suspected of offenses against public safety (drugged driving) and presented a risk of recidivism. A motion for detention was filed the following day (June 15) and was successfully approved.

Solemn Warning from the Prosecutors Office

The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office solemnly emphasizes that drugged driving acts as a ticking bomb on the road and poses a severe threat to public safety. There is absolutely no grey area in our law enforcement, and individuals must not flout the law with a gambling mindset.

"For chronic drugged-driving offenders who harbor a stroke of luck and remain incorrigible, this Office will invoke the new law and adhere to an iron-fisted policy of 'strict and swift prosecution, active detention, and heavy sentencing demands.' We will absolutely pursue preventive detention to the fullest extent, severely punishing those who disregard human life, and spare no effort in safeguarding the traffic safety and peaceful homes of our citizens."