Chinese lawmakers suggest harsher penalties for drunk driving crimes

BEIJING, August 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers Wednesday continued discussing a draft amendment to the country's Criminal Law which calls for more severe penalties for drunk driving and street racing, crimes which have been loudly criticized by the public.

With these 2 types of violations included in the draft, convicted drunk drivers might face forced labor while in detention for 1 to 6 months and be fined, if "their actions are of a vile nature."

The draft amendment was submitted on Monday to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for its first reading.

National People's Congress Standing Committee member Qiao Chuanxiu suggested all drunk driving offense, regardless of whether it results in auto accidents, must be punished as crimes, arguing that drunk driving is, itself, an act of subjective intention and its potential social harms are considerable.

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