TWO Frenchmen who were detained for driving under the influence of alcohol were among a number of drivers who were regretting their decision to drive after drinking at the weekend.
At an interview at the city’s No. 3 detention center yesterday afternoon, the Frenchmen, an executive of a foreign-funded company in Shenzhen and a fashion designer, said they hoped their lives would soon return to normal.
“Drink driving has really serious consequence and I’m sorry for the trouble I have caused my family,” said the fashion designer, who hasn’t been identified. “I felt bad about it and hope expatriates in Shenzhen won’t drive if they drink.”
It was their third day at the detention center and the day of the first lesson in a course on the hazards of drink driving organized by police. They are attending the course along with 31 Chinese drivers.
There are 12 days ahead before they are released.
They were caught in roadside breath tests in Shekou on Saturday after leaving private celebrations in pubs.
In France, a drink-drive offender faces a fine of 135 to 750 euros (US$193-1,071) and has six points deducted from his driver’s license.
Once 12 points have been deducted, their licenses will be revoked and they have to sit a test for a new license.
Drunk drivers also face jail terms of up to two years and a fine of 4,500 euros. The judge can suspend their licenses depending on the severity of the offense.
If a fatality is involved, convicted drivers face a jail term of 10 years and a fine of 150,000 euros.
“It was silly of me to drive to a pub which is only 200 meters away from my home,” said the fashion designer.
He had returned to Shenzhen just a few days before he was caught and he told police that he didn’t know the rules about drink driving in China and didn’t realize that police were being tough on this violation. His blood-alcohol content was 215 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
During a 15-minute interview, both men were reluctant to talk.
“I really don’t want to talk much and I am sorry for that,” said the company executive, who refused to answer the Shenzhen Daily reporter’s questions.
The senior executive had been celebrating the first month of his newborn baby with friends before he was caught. His blood-alcohol reading was 133 milligrams per 100 milliliters, exceeding the legal limit of 80mg/100ml.
Among the detained Chinese drivers, Wang, 28, a Hunan native, was happy to talk with reporters.
He had planned a wedding banquet for 18 tables Sunday, but was caught early Sunday after having dinner with friends.
“I have canceled all arrangements and lost my 5,000 yuan banquet deposit. It is a good lesson for me,” said Wang.
“My family was really sad about it and I am not in the mood to think about the wedding now,” he said.
Wang knew police were getting tough on drinking and driving, so he drank only a jug of beer that night, but it was enough for him to be detained.
Tests showed his blood-alcohol content was 93 milligrams per 100 milliliters, a little higher than the legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100 milliliters.
Police said 111 drivers had been detained in two months since the Tiger-Hunting Action was launched.
Han Ximin