Chinese police continue World Cup DUI crackdown

Chinese police have caught 11,000 people drunk driving nationwide since the FIFA World Cup began on June 13, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Some 870 of these cases were deemed serious, meaning the drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.08. Those with a BAC ranging from 0.02 to 0.08 violated the country's traffic law, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

More than 400 people have been detained for suspected criminal liability, it said.

A nationwide campaign to restrict a World Cup spike in traffic accidents caused by drunk driving has seen police stationed near restaurants, pubs, food stalls and karaoke bars that are popular with football fans.

Although China is not competing in the World Cup, Chinese football fans have been burning the midnight oil to watch the tournament's matches, which are mainly broadcast from midnight to early morning Beijing Time.

The ministry also warned against driving while tired.