How to punish drinking: Analysis of hot spots across the Internet and interpretation of the law
Recently, social problems caused by drinking have once again become the focus of heated discussions across the Internet. From drunk driving accidents to drunken riots in public places, public attention to the legal consequences of drinking has increased significantly. This article combines hot topics in the past 10 days to systematically sort out the penalties related to drinking to help readers clearly understand legal responsibilities.
1. Top 5 hot topics related to drinking on the Internet (last 10 days)

| Ranking | Topic content | Hot search platform | Reading volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A celebrity was criminally detained for drunk driving | Weibo/Douyin | 230 million |
| 2 | The newly revised "Road Traffic Safety Law" increases the penalties for drunk driving | Baidu/Toutiao | 180 million |
| 3 | College students who caused trouble after drinking were expelled from school, sparking controversy | Zhihu/Tieba | 95 million |
| 4 | Internet celebrity who drank too much during live broadcast was sent to hospital for emergency treatment | Kuaishou/Bilibili | 78 million |
| 5 | Special crackdown on bars across the country illegally selling alcohol to minors | WeChat/Weibo | 65 million |
2. Legal Penalty Standards for Different Types of Drinking Behavior
| behavior type | Legal basis | Punishment measures | Typical cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drunk driving | Article 91 of the Road Traffic Safety Law | The driver's license will be suspended for 6 months and a fine of 1,000-2,000 yuan will be imposed; drunk driving will be investigated for criminal liability. | Hangzhou BMW drunk driving case in May 2024 |
| Drunk and causing trouble in public places | Article 26 of the Public Security Administration Punishment Law | Detention for 5-10 days + fine of not more than 500 yuan | Shanghai bar fight |
| Compulsive persuasion to drink | Article 1165 of the Civil Code | Bear civil liability for compensation | Death case involving drunkenness at a wedding banquet in Shandong |
| Selling alcohol to minors | Article 59 of the Law on the Protection of Minors | Fine of less than 50,000 yuan + suspension of business for rectification | Investigation and punishment of shops around Changsha campus |
| Drinking by public servants on working days | "Civil Service Punishment Ordinance" | Punishments ranging from warning to dismissal | An official from an agency was notified for drinking during lunch |
3. In-depth analysis of key issues
1. Determining the critical point of drunk driving and drunk driving
According to national standards, blood alcohol content ≥20mg/100ml but <80mg/100ml constitutes drunk driving; ≥80mg/100ml constitutes drunk driving. In many recent cases, parties often mistakenly believe that "drinking less does not count as drunk driving", and the actual test results often exceed expectations.
2. Legal liability of co-drinkers
A new trend has emerged in judicial practice: If drinkers at the same table fail to fulfill their obligations to dissuade and take care of others and cause injury or death to others, they may bear 10%-30% liability for compensation. In March 2024, the Nanjing Court’s judgment on the compensation case of four co-drinkers triggered widespread discussion.
3. Differences in penalties for drunk driving across countries
| Country/Region | Drunk driving standard (mg/100ml) | maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| China | 20 | Imprisonment + driver’s license suspension |
| Japan | 15 | 5 years in prison |
| USA | 80 | Life imprisonment (varies from state to state) |
| singapore | 35 | 6 canings |
4. Suggestions on social preventive measures
1.Technical prevention and control: Many places are piloting the "alcohol smart car locking system" to automatically lock vehicles if they exceed the standard.
2.credit penalty: Zhejiang incorporates drunk driving records into personal credit files, affecting loans and employment
3.Source governance: Beijing requires catering establishments to set up "drunk driving discouragers" to fulfill the obligation to inform
Conclusion
As the construction of the rule of law continues to improve, the punishment for illegal drinking behaviors in our country has shown a trend of "stepping and aggravation". The public is advised to keep in mind the "Four Don's Principles of Drinking": do not encourage drinking, do not drive under the influence, do not violate regulations, and do not overdose, and jointly maintain a safe and orderly social environment.
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