A man in Chiayi, Taiwan, caused a fatal traffic accident after driving under the influence of drugs. Even though he was not the primary party at fault, he was still sentenced, reflecting the judiciary's zero-tolerance stance on drug-driving.

• The man, surnamed Lo, drove after taking ketamine in January last year and collided with a motorcyclist on Provincial Highway 18 in Chiayi's Zhongpu Township; the rider died that night.

• The deceased, surnamed Hsiao, had crossed the double yellow lines, had not switched on his headlight, and was not wearing a helmet — the main cause of the accident.

• However, Lo was speeding and failed to pay attention to conditions ahead of his vehicle, and his urine test showed drug levels exceeding the limit, so the court held that he could not be absolved of responsibility.

• The case was heard with the participation of citizen judges. Taking into account that Lo remained at the scene afterwards and turned himself in, and that he reached a settlement with the victim's family for NT$2.3 million, he was ultimately sentenced to 3 years and 6 months.

Outlook: The case can still be appealed, and it may in future influence the sentencing standards for similar drug-driving cases.