Convicted drunken drivers to pay higher insurance rates

Beginning next week, drunken drivers will face a new penalty of paying higher automobile insurance rates, a new measure to stem the deadly trend on the nation's roads.

Drivers found with a blood-alcohol content of more than 80 mg per 100 ml of blood will have to pay the motor vehicle accident liability compulsory insurance rate, which is 20 to 30 percent higher than the normal rate, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Security and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.

Those with a blood-alcohol content between 20 mg and 80 mg per 100 ml will see their rate increase by 10 to 15 percent. The cumulative total of the increase should not exceed 60 percent.