The Standing Committee of National People's Congress will deliberate over amendments to the draft of the Road Traffic Safety Law tomorrow, the Shandong Business Daily reports.

?The penalties for drunk driving will be greatly strengthened and the licenses of people caught driving drunk will be revoked and may not be retained within five years, according to the draft.The fine for the offense is also expected to rise from 200 yuan (US$30.63) to 1,000 yuan.

Under current law, drunk drivers are suspended from driving for three or six months and, in serious cases, detained for 15 days.

If drivers offend twice in a year, their licenses are revoked for two to five years.

Foreigners also face losing their residence permit if they offend, according to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.

From May 1, drunk driving becomes a crime under China's Criminal Law. Previously it was considered as a traffic violation.

Under the revised law, drunk drivers can be jailed for up to six months.