Chinese police have netted and punished 148,000 drink drivers since a nationwide crackdown was launched on Aug. 15.

Of the total, 23,000 were drunk drivers, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday, citing a tally dated till the end of October.

All the offenders were fined while 131,000 driving licenses were suspended. Some 20,000 drunk drivers were put under administrative detention, according to the ministry.

Chinese police initially launched a two-month nationwide campaign to root out drink driving following a series of fatal traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers. The program was then extended to the year end on Oct. 19.