A 29-year-old man will be formally charged in court after allegedly engaging in a series of dangerous driving offences that culminated in a collision with a private bus carrying school children along Bukit Timah Road.
Authorities said the incident involved allegations of drink driving, travelling against the flow of traffic, dangerous driving causing injuries, and leaving a vehicle in a hazardous position that endangered other road users.
The sequence of events reportedly began at around 6am on March 6, 2024, when police officers were alerted to a black car that had been stopped while facing against oncoming traffic along Cavenagh Road. When officers approached the vehicle, the driver allegedly fled the scene instead of complying with instructions.
High-Speed Chase Ended In Collision With School Bus
About 15 minutes later, police officers spotted the same vehicle travelling at high speed along Bukit Timah Road towards Upper Bukit Timah Road.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle was allegedly weaving dangerously between other motorists along the stretch between Coronation Road and Anamalai Avenue. The car was also believed to have reached an average speed of at least 114km/h, significantly exceeding the speed limit in the area.
The situation escalated when the driver allegedly ran a red light before crashing into a private bus transporting school children that was performing a U-turn at the junction of Bukit Timah Road and Sixth Avenue. Following the impact, the vehicle veered off course and slammed into a nearby lamp post.
Car Burst Into Flames After The Crash
After colliding with both the bus and the lamp post, the car eventually came to a stop on a grass verge and caught fire.
Fortunately, the driver and his three passengers managed to escape from the burning vehicle before emergency responders arrived. Two boys aged eight and nine, who were travelling on the school bus, were among those injured during the incident.
All six individuals, including the two children, the driver and his three passengers, were taken to hospital while conscious.
Subsequent investigations found that the driver had allegedly consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel. Police also discovered that he was not a first-time offender, having previously been convicted in 2019 for offences related to drunk driving and inconsiderate driving.
Police Reiterate Zero Tolerance For Dangerous Driving
The man is expected to face five charges under Singapore’s Road Traffic Act.
Police stressed that they take a serious stance against motorists who display reckless behaviour, particularly those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol.
Authorities warned that irresponsible actions on the road can place countless lives at risk, especially when vulnerable passengers such as children are involved. They added that strict enforcement measures will continue to be taken against offenders whose actions jeopardise public safety.
The incident serves as another reminder that drink driving remains one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of serious road accidents in Singapore, with severe legal consequences awaiting those who choose to disregard the law.