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Drunk drivers to lose life insurance in Brazil
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-02 11:28

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) announced Monday that a drunk driver causing an accident could lose the right of life insurance under new traffic regulations.

Previously, insurance companies paid the premium to the driver's family if the alcohol amount found in the driver's blood was proved not to be enough to directly cause the accident.

The STF said every case would be decided on the practical circumstance, but it was clear that the drunk driver would face a stricter restriction in terms of life insurance.

According to the new traffic rules, which took effect on June 20, a driver who is caught with any amount of alcohol in the blood must pay a fine of 955 reais ($597 dollars) and has the driver license suspended for a year.

If the amount of alcohol exceeds six decigrams per liter of blood, the driver will be arrested.

Additionally, the driver, causing a fatal accident, will be charged with murder instead of manslaughter.

The harsher punishment is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the number of accidents and deaths in Brazil.