In Singapore, a woman named Ngo Kieng Hui was sentenced to two weeks in jail, fined S$7,000, and disqualified from driving for 42 months after pleading guilty to charges of drink driving and irresponsible driving causing property damage.
Ngo’s evening began with two small glasses of beer at her workplace in Woodlands, followed by one and a half glasses of gin and tonic at a pub along Upper Thomson Road. She then got behind the wheel of her car, despite the influence of alcohol.
At around 2:23 am along Sembawang Road, Ngo’s driving became erratic, and she mounted the center divider of the road, colliding with a directional sign. The impact of the collision uprooted the sign and caused significant damage to Ngo’s car, including dents, cracks, and a ripped front bumper. Her car plate also fell off.
Despite the accident, Ngo did not stop and instead fled the scene. The traffic police arrived at the site and found the fallen signage and the car plate, which they used to trace Ngo’s whereabouts.
Upon finding Ngo, the officer noted that she “reeked of alcohol” and failed a breathalyser test. A subsequent Breath Analysing Device (BAD) test showed an alcohol level of 83 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, over twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
The judge noted that Ngo’s alcohol level was an indicator of her inability to drive safely, and her actions showed a disregard for the safety of others.
Ngo’s actions after the collision also showed a lack of responsibility, as she left the scene in an attempt to evade arrest. The judge found that a custodial sentence was appropriate in the circumstances, considering the potential harm that Ngo could have caused and the need to deter similar behavior.
Ngo has since filed an appeal against the decision, but the sentence remains in place until the appeal is heard. The case highlights the importance of responsible driving and the consequences of impaired driving, which can put lives at risk.
Top photo viaÂ