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Legislating for morality is not the Chinese way
Editorial 2013-07-14 11:31
A driver takes a breathalyzer test. (Photo/Huang Shih-chi)
Despite the anguish caused by the avoidable tragedies brought about by drunk driving, there has until recently been little appetite for tackling this common social problem in Taiwan. Thankfully there has been a shift in attitudes among the public, with more people expressing their anger at drunk drivers, especially when they express no remorse for their behavior. Recently, National Taiwan University Hospital doctor Tseng Yu-tzu became a victim of drunken driving, an incident which triggered outrage among a public who blamed the government for not taking a serious enough attitude to punishing DUI offenses.
The government has now passed new laws and imposed stricter regulations, lowering the threshold for breathalyzer tests and increasing fines for driving under the influence from NT$60,000 (US$2,000) to NT$90,000 (US$3,000).
However, cases of drunken driving have not stopped altogether and even some public servants have been found to have broken the law.
Those who drive under the influence of alcohol do not have the intent to commit a crime. "Do not drink and drive" is supposed to be a moral standard by which members of society respect one another. It is already debatable whether the law should intervene in moral issues, so it is even more impractical to impose harsher regulations to stop such crimes. The maxim "do not try to achieve by law what should be achieved by morality" may be applied here.
As China becomes an aging society, the Chinese government implemented regulations in July that will ensure its senior citizens are taken care of in their latter years. The new rules state that a senior citizen can nominate a person as his or her guardian from among their close relatives or anyone who is willing to take on the responsibility for tehir care. Their guardian must take full responsibility to support them financially and ensure their well-being.
The practice of family members taking care of each other is supposed to be a core Chinese value. But when this value is spelt out in legislation, it means traditional values have been challenged.
Nevertheless, the new laws cannot ensure that all seniors receive proper care.
When the Taiwanese government enacts stricter laws regarding drunken driving, we feel society's anger toward drunk drivers. But when the Chinese government ensures care for the old by law, it indicates that the traditional value of taking care of old people is collapsing.
Enacting more laws is not a guarantee for harmony in society. Problem can only be resolved if we can instill the idea of respecting human life and supporting one's family in people's minds.