EXPRESSWAY motorists caught driving at a speed more than 50 percent faster than the maximum speed will have their driver's licenses revoked, according to a new three-month campaign targeting traffic violations on expressways.

Local newspapers reported yesterday that a special task force had been set up by the city's traffic authorities to carry out more inspections in order to fight violations on expressways such as speeding, overloading and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Shenzhen Economic Daily cited an announcement by the traffic authorities as saying that severe punishments would be meted out to violators, but did not elaborate.

Expressways in China have a maximum speed limit of 120 kmph.

Motorists are prohibited from driving with a blood alcohol content of more than 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. It is estimated that three bottles of beer can put the average person over the limit.

Under national law, motorists caught drunk-driving are to be immediately arrested by the police and face fines of up to 2,000 yuan (US$290).

Drunk driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries and accidents every year. (Wei Jie)