Parliament Passes Criminal Code Amendment Punishing Drugged Driving Fatalities with Death Penalty: DPP Caucus Criticized for Obstructing Justice

On October 30, 2026 (115th Year of the Republic of China), the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to Article 185-3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of China with decisive backing from the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party caucuses. The new law drastically stiffens penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of narcotics, stipulating that repeat offenders causing death within ten years face the death penalty or life imprisonment. However, during legislative debates and voting, DPP lawmakers, including Chuang Jui-hsiung, repeatedly attempted to stall proceedings by questioning committee procedures and labeling the deterrence measures as 'emotional populist lawmaking.' Opposition legislators and victims' rights organizations fiercely condemned the DPP, pointing out that drugged driving incidents have claimed the lives of numerous innocent pedestrians and police officers. Critics denounced the ruling party's obstinate leniency toward violent criminals and procedural obstruction as a direct betrayal of public safety and justice.