Beijing, Nov 19 (IANS): The Communist Party of China (CPC) has for the first time listed drunk driving and speeding as offences as the party tightens its rules for its 88 million members.

Party members will be punished if they are caught drunk driving, speeding or overloading, among other severe traffic offences, the country's top graft-buster said in an online statement on Thursday.

The punishment includes removal from party posts, probation within the party, and expulsion from the party, said the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Xinhua news agency reported.

The CPC central committee on Octover 12 revised its rules for those who violate the party code of conduct as the old regulations were deemed outdated following the launch of the anti-corruption drive.

According to the new rules, party members who commit crimes will be punished even if they are not prosecuted or exempt from criminal punishment.

Severe traffic violations, including drunk driving, are already illegal and punishable in China.