(DING HAITAO)

A traffic police officer conducts a DUI (driving under the influence) test on a driver in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

Drink-driving accidents in China have dropped by a quarter since harsher punishments were imposed three years ago, the Ministry of Public Security said on October 20.

Drink driving was defined as a crime on May 1, 2011. Since then, deaths from such accidents have decreased by 39.3 percent, the ministry said.

The amendment to the Criminal Law also ruled that those who drive after drinking alcohol and cause an accident serious enough to constitute a crime will have their licenses permanently revoked.