Repeat drunk driver receives heaviest-ever penalty

[yuiyoshida]

(TAIWAN) The Kaohsiung District Court on Friday sentenced a man to 10 years in jail and fined him NT$10.05 million (US $332,400.00) over a drunk-driving incident that killed one person and left another seriously injured.

Legal experts said it was the most severe punishment the nation has seen for a fatal drunk-driving incident. The case can be appealed.

According to the ruling, Hsu Wei-chieh was a repeat offender. The ruling said he had been arrested for drunk driving last year and had his driver’s license suspended, but he continued to drive under the influence of alcohol.

In the early morning of March 2, after partying with friends at a nightclub, the 24-year-old was driving his car to his residence in Greater Kaohsiung when the fatal collision happened, the ruling said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/09/21/2003600233

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. k&r

[rocktivity]

2. Was he caught driving without a license prior to the accident?

If so, THAT'S when he should have been jailed.


rocktivity

[Warpy]

5. At that point, his car should have been confiscated.

It's the only way to get drunks to stop driving.

[KinMd]

3. The tougher the drunk driving laws are..the better

[PeaceNikki]

4. 10 years for killing one and seriously injuring another isn't enough.

I am conflicted about the fine. If it goes to the victims, good. I