Drunk Drivers Who Cause Fatal Accidents in Taiwan Could Face Death Penalty for “Murder”

According to the Straits Times, Taiwan has plans to impose harsher punishments for drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents. The Taiwanese government is even mulling the death penalty as punishment for more severe cases.

On Thursday (28th March), the Cabinet reportedly approved a draft amendment to the Criminal Code making fatal accidents caused by drink driving as a murder offence that can be punishable by the death penalty if it is found that the accident was intentional. However, this draft is yet to be approved in Parliament.

Source: world atlas

Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice addressed the draft amendment in a statement, saying,

“Cases of drink driving leading to death are rampant… drunken drivers recklessly caused accidents that took lives and destroyed families to result in irreparable regret.”

This proposed amendment also seeks to increase jail sentences for repeat offenders if they commit a new offence within 5 years of their first conviction and could now possibly face a life sentence for causing death and 12 years for grave injuries.

According to current laws in Taiwan, the maximum sentence for drunk drivers causing deaths while driving is 10 years in jail.

Source: politiko

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, the Road Transport Act 1987 states that drivers who have a blood alcohol content that exceeds the legal limit and causes the death or injury of a person while behind the wheel can face a minimum jail sentence of 3 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine that costs between RM8,000 and RM20,000.

What are your thoughts about the possibility of a death penalty being imposed on drivers who cause fatal accidents while under the influence? Let us know in the comments section. 

Also read: PMO: Death Penalty Will No Longer Apply for These 32 Offences