A kind of "Get out of jail free card" for drunk drivers, which covers losses caused by them while intoxicated behind the wheel, has been met with a lukewarm response in China.  

But at least one police officer believes the warranty is dangerous as it could increase the number of drunk drivers on the nation's roads.

The insurance policy, which was launched by the Shanghai-based Tian'an Insurance Co earlier this month, covers the damages caused by a drunk driver to the tune of 250,000 yuan (US$30,000).

Tian'an Insurance is the only group in China offering the cover -- perhaps because of the tepid response it has received from the market.

Only about 300 people across the country have bought the new insurance policy so far, business insiders said Thursday.

Beijing police officer Liu Jingyu said the new policy may help a drunk driver elude their responsibilities arising from a traffic accident, which could lead to an increase in people driving while inebriated.

The number of traffic accidents on Beijing's roads has been on rise. In the first seven months of the year, 792 people died, according to statistics from the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau.

Alarmingly, Liu said the number of drunk driving-related accidents is already on the rise.

Nearly 70 percent of 1,426 respondents to a Internet survey said they objected to the policy. However, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission says the new cover aims to help protect the victims of traffic accidents.

The liability insurance policy is aimed at covering their losses and it does not mean drunk drivers will elude their responsibilities, a commission statement said.

In many other countries, such insurance is compulsory so all drivers can cover the compensation claims of victims in traffic accidents, business insiders said.

China should introduce the policy across the board to better protect the rights of all citizens, they argue.

(China Daily August 22, 2003)