Draft Proposes 5-Year Ban for Drunk Drivers

2011-04-19 07:29:19 Shanghai Daily Web Editor: Jiang

Convicted drunk drivers will lose their licenses and be banned from taking a driving test in the following five years, according to a draft amendment to be submitted Tuesday.

Intoxicated drivers who caused "serious traffic accidents" will be banned from driving for life, under the draft amendment to the Law on Road Traffic Safety that will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for discussion, Monday's Legal Evening News reported.

The fine for the offense is also expected to rise from 200 yuan (US$30.63) to 1,000 yuan.
Under current law, drunk drivers are suspended from driving for three or six months and, in serious cases, detained for 15 days.

If drivers offend twice in a year, their licenses are revoked for two to five years.

Foreigners also face losing their residence permit if they offend, according to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.

 From May 1, drunk driving becomes a crime under China's Criminal Law. Previously it was considered as a traffic violation.

Under the revised law, drunk drivers can be jailed for up to six months
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I've already posted about a friend's unfortunate experience after having a beer, being stopped in a road block, and blowing 0.02 into a hand held breathalyzer.

I've no idea about smaller cities, but my guess is that from May 1, Shanghai & Beijing will be actively enforcing the new law.

[rant]It amazes me when I am out for a ride with a group and we stop for lunch that some riders will have a beer, or two, or even three ... and then expect me to ride somewhere near them. Yeah right - and maybe I will just loosen my axle nuts for an even more exciting ride! Frankly, I think the penalties should include torture prior to deportation.[/rant]