39 Motorists to Be Charged for Drink Driving in Singapore, Five Also Face Additional Offences
A total of 39 motorists in Singapore, aged between 26 and 61, are set to face drink driving charges on June 26, following enforcement actions conducted by the police between March and June. Among them are 35 men and four women, all of whom were arrested after failing breathalyser tests during routine checks and enforcement blitzes.
According to a statement released by the police on June 25, five of the accused individuals — aged 33 to 61 — are facing additional charges for leaving their vehicles inappropriately parked in a way that caused obstruction or inconvenience to other road users. These vehicles were found stationary and unattended at various busy locations, including Hill Street, Jalan Eunos, Bukit Timah Road, Paya Lebar Road and Upper Thomson Road.
Fell Asleep Behind the Wheel After Drinking
Investigations revealed that all five motorists had allegedly driven under the influence of alcohol, and later fell asleep at the wheel, abandoning their vehicles on public roads. In doing so, they not only inconvenienced other drivers but also posed significant safety risks.
One of the five will also be charged for refusing to provide a breath sample when required by law enforcement. Under Singapore’s Road Traffic Act, refusal to comply with a breathalyser test carries serious penalties.
Stiff Penalties Await Offenders
First-time drink driving offenders can face fines between S$2,000 and S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders face fines from S$5,000 to S$20,000, up to two years’ jail, and may also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles.
For the subset of five motorists who caused obstruction by leaving their vehicles improperly, they may be fined up to S$2,000, jailed for up to three months, or both. A second or subsequent conviction could see fines up to S$5,000, or six months’ jail time.
Meanwhile, those who refuse to provide a breath sample risk fines ranging from S$1,000 to S$5,000, or six months’ imprisonment. Repeat refusals can result in fines between S$3,000 and S$10,000, or up to 12 months’ jail.