Chinese army to get tougher with lawless drivers

Shanghai, August 31 (Gasgoo.com) In the build-up to a grand military parade through Beijing to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic on Oct. 1, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will mete out stricter penalties for personnel caught drunk-driving and breaking other traffic rules, xinhuanet.com reported today.

The PLA's General Staff Headquarters on Monday issued a statement today asking all military units, especially those under direct control of the Central Military Command and the four general departments, to "eliminate drunk-driving and other violations to welcome the National Day with strict military discipline."

Other traffic violations mentioned by the new code include running red lights, driving military vehicles for personal use and driving without a license. The headquarters will dispatch more military police to patrol major streets to detect traffic violations involving military vehicles.

Under the new regulations, military drivers who are caught drunk-driving will have their licenses suspended for six months and receive compulsory traffic education, or even have their licenses revoked and be transferred to other duties.

Military vehicles, beyond the jurisdiction of civil traffic police, are managed by the military police who also supervise behavior of all uniformed personnel in public domains.