New Taipei, Taiwan — March 22, 2026
A driver of the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle” bus, operating between New Taipei’s Jiufen and Jinguashi and Taipei City, was arrested last month for suspected drug-impaired driving following a minor collision near Ruifang Station. The incident involved more than ten passengers, though no one was injured.
Minor Collision Prompts Drug Test
The incident occurred on February 20 at around 8:20 AM, when a 42-year-old driver surnamed Zhou was operating the tourist bus on Section 3 of Mingdeng Road in Ruifang District. The bus lightly scraped a rental small truck driven by a 75-year-old man surnamed Liao. While the collision caused no injuries, the bus’s side mirror was damaged, with the casing scraped and the mirror surface broken.
Police on site noted Zhou appeared unusually anxious. Alcohol tests returned a reading of zero, but a quick saliva test for drugs showed a positive result for methamphetamine. He was immediately detained under Taiwan’s Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act and sent for further processing.
Bus Company Response and Measures
The bus operator confirmed that Zhou had passed all prior checks before employment, including a police background check showing no criminal record. The company conducts regular and random drug urine tests for all drivers. Zhou’s previous medical and drug tests, including those on September 5, 2024, and September 1, 2025, were all negative.
The company stated that Zhou was terminated on the day of the incident. Medical and drug test records have been provided to the police and relevant authorities, and the company is fully cooperating with the investigation.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, the bus operator announced plans to purchase additional rapid drug test kits for on-site screening, conduct unannounced urine tests, and enhance health monitoring for all drivers.