Are you really driving soberly? Beware of driving with a hangover !


2020-01-13

Are you really driving soberly? Beware of driving with a hangover! 
Be cautious if driving after consuming tonic winter dishes.
MOTC & TBAF propose “Zero-tolerance for alcohol; Say No to drink- driving“

According to statistics from the National Police Administration, Ministry of Interior, after new regulations on drink-driving were introduced in July 2019, drink-driving caught cases have decreased from 8,546 in July to 6,615 in November 2019, a 22.6%. decrease. While in July 2019 4,849 cases were brought to charge, in November of the same year, only 4,142 cases were brought to charge—a decrease of 14.6%. In addition, thanks to the persistent promotional work of MOTC’s Road Traffic Safety Committee (RTSC) on “zero tolerance for drink-driving; no driving before or after drinking”, public awareness has been raised in recent years. Nonetheless, driving with a hangover and driving after consuming tonic dishes remain rather prevalent behaviors. Therefore, the Taiwan Beverage & Alcohol Forum (TBAF) introduced the concept of “zero tolerance for alcohol” and have been helping the RTSC to promote “say no to drink-driving” and “beware of driving with a hangover”. TBAF has invited a popular youtuber, the Pierre (Liu Pei) to make a campaign film to remind the general public on avoidance of drink-driving: after a hearty meal accompanied by alcohol, one should not drive and should have enough rest to allow for alcohol metabolism—so as to avoid driving with a hangover and endanger others. 

MOTC Road Traffic Safety Committee executive secretary Ming-hong HSIEH (謝銘鴻) points out that: In the past 5 years, drink-driving incidents have decreased each year. Looking at the statistics on caught cases and cases there were brought to charge, we noted that last year’s (2019) new regulations on drink-driving had indeed created some deterrence and positive results. However, if we look at the time period for drink-driving occurrence, the percentage of drink-driving that occur between 6 to 12 o’clock in the morning has increased from 11.8% to 14.6%. This indicates that many people have slighted the potential danger of driving with a hangover. Therefore, we would like to raise more awareness on the risk caused by a hangover, clarify the misconception and prevent unintentional drink-driving offence due to ignorance.”

TBAF Chairman Ms. Jennifer WU (吳克勤) announces the focus of this year’s campaign is on “zero tolerance for alcohol” and explains: “To echo RTSC’s policy of ‘zero-tolerance for alcohol’, TBAF has proactively launch this campaign to increase the understanding of the danger of driving with a hangover, and clarify misconceptions on tonic winter dishes and alcoholic drinks. This would help prevent violations and the resulting threat to road safety due to lack of awareness. TBAF uses popular digital social media to promote these concepts and to deepen people’s understanding on herbal tonic dishes and alcohol consumption. In this way, the concept of no driving after consuming alcohol would take root and drink-driving behavior could be avoided. Together with MOTC, we will create a safe traffic environment.”

The period around the lunar new year marks the peak season for year-end or new-year festivities and gatherings. It’s during this time of the year when day-time drink-driving incidents increase, which means peak time for drink-driving lies between 6 to 12 o’clock in the morning. The reason behind such phenomenon is that most people fail to reckon the issue of hangover and the importance of allowing sufficient time for alcohol metabolism. Hepatobiliary gastroenterologist Dr. Tung-En Kuo (郭東恩) emphasizes that “as long as one consumes alcohol, no matter how much the alcohol volume and content, it only takes 5 to 10 minutes for the alcohol to enter your body, which then absorbs the alcohol to various degrees. Each person has a different alcohol metabolism rate and needs sufficient rest to completely digest the alcohol.” It is recommended that for alcohol content below 30%, one should take at least 12 hours of rest; for alcohol content above 30%, take at least 24 hours of rest. It’s also suggested that it is better to take the public transport the day after consuming alcohol, to ensure that your body gets enough rest. It’s important not to take any chance and let hangover become a hidden danger for road safety.


The Taiwan Beverage Alcohol Forum (TBAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of responsible drinking and the prevention of inappropriate drinking behaviors. It was established in October 2000 by several European and American alcohol companies and media groups, with a primary focus on promoting a responsible and healthy drinking culture as its long-term goal. For more information, please check the TBAF website www.tbaf.org.tw.

“No drink driving” and “zero tolerance for drink driving”! No matter what the alcohol percentage is or how much/little alcohol has been consumed, “no drink driving” should be observed by every citizen in this country. After consuming alcohol, one should take public transport, call a taxi or ask for designated driver service to ensure a safer way home and not burden one’s family or friends with worry.


Contact persons for media inquiries:

Maximuse Ltd. 黃婷琳 Tilly Huang 02-2777-2015#14 0921-301-308
  廖聿萱 Debby Liao
魏逸偉 Vic Wei
02-2777-2015#13
02-2777-2015#11
0939-317-817
0953-025-005
TBAF 傅鴻懿 Jessica Fu 02-8771-3295  
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