Users of Nanjing’s ride-hailing services can take a little more comfort in their drivers now, as news comes today that 84 drivers in the city have been disqualified after being found under the influence of alcohol while services their clients.
Yesterday, 7 September, Nanjing Traffic Law Enforcement Bureau announced the list of drivers who have had their licenses for online ride hailing or taxi operation revoked.
By way of a warning to others, Head of the Passenger Transport Group Department of the Traffic Law Enforcement Bureau, Tang Zhenhao, reaffirmed to reporters that once a driver has a record of driving under the influence, they will be disqualified from both ride hailing and taxi driving for life.
Every quarter, Nanjing’s Public Security Bureau will copy in the Traffic Law Enforcement Bureau on the list of people involved in drunk driving, drug abuse and other crimes. Traffic authorities then share this with online ride-hailing platforms, which will “label” these drivers according to relevant regulations.
This past quarter’s figures bring the number of drunk-driver disqualifications for this year to 188, reported Nanjing Daily.
Article 39 of the revised version of the Regulations on the Management of Taxi Drivers’ Professional Qualifications issued by China’s Ministry of Transport in August, 2016, states that a person with a criminal record of dangerous driving, of taking drugs, of committing a violent crime or a record of driving after drinking alcohol, shall have their license revoked and announced invalid.
Ride-hailing drivers aside, punishments for drunk drivers of personal vehicles in China are comparable with many western countries.
In Nanjing, driving under the influence carries with it a fine of ¥1,000, a 6-month ban and 12 points added to the offender’s license.
