China launches drunk driving crackdown

Chinese traffic cops are on the lookout for drunk driving in a crackdown running until May 31.

The Ministry of Public Security's (MPS) traffic bureau said police nationwide will be running checks on roads near restaurants and recreational places in cities as well as those linking cities and suburbs.

Checks will be especially intense during afternoons, nights, weekends, holidays and around big events like weddings and funerals.

Drunk drivers will be blacklisted and cases involving civil servants will be reported to Party disciplinary authorities, according to the MPS.

China amended the Criminal Law to criminalize drunk driving in 2011. The amended law stipulates that all drunk driving constitutes a criminal offence, even if no road accidents or other serious consequences occur. Endit