The Criminal Bureau of Taiwan’s National Police Department has announced a nationwide rollout of saliva rapid screening for drug driving — a move accompanied by legal updates, the distribution of advanced reagents, and large-scale, immersive training for police cadres. Germonizer Pte Ltd is proud to support frontline testing through the introduction of Drugwipe, our rapid saliva screening product for law-enforcement use.
Photo credits: Reporter Qiu Junfu
Legal and operational framework
The Ministry of Transportation added Article 19-4 to the “Unified Penalty Standards and Handling Rules for Violations of Road Traffic Management Incidents,” formalising saliva screening testing procedures and responses to refusals. This amendment, announced on Oct 20, provides the legal basis for roadside saliva checks.
Equipment procurement and distribution
The Criminal Bureau coordinated acquisition of 12,545 doses of advanced saliva drug rapid screening reagents — comparable to those used in Europe and the United States — and distributed them nationwide to police agencies to ensure testing capacity.
Immersive national education and seed instructor programme
On Oct 30, the Criminal Bureau convened hundreds of senior cadres — deputy captains from criminal police brigades, traffic brigades and forensic centres — for a hands-on national training exercise. The programme used an “immersive” teaching model (see, hear, touch) so participants could practise sample collection, testing procedures and legal protocols first-hand.
Operational impact — rapid detection and immediate action
According to official briefings, saliva rapid screening can detect drug use in approximately 3 minutes at the roadside. When a positive screen occurs, officers may proceed to detain the vehicle, place the driver into custody and suspend the driver’s licence under the Road Traffic Management Penalty Regulations, subject to completed legal procedures.
Germonizer Product Highlight — Drugwipe
Germonizer is introducing Drugwipe, a robust saliva rapid screening kit designed for law enforcement. Drugwipe is compatible with the reagents supplied to police and is packaged with usage protocols and training materials.
Sources: Liberty Times | Central News Agency
Training aims and enforcement integrity
Training emphasised both technical accuracy and legal legitimacy. Simulated exercises prepared officers for real-world sampling difficulties and refusal scenarios, ensuring protocols are consistently applied and evidence integrity is preserved.
Why this matters for road safety
Faster, standardised screening improves detection of drug-impaired drivers; seed-instructor cascades promote nationwide consistency; and clear legal procedures balance enforceability with due process.