17 motorists arrested for drink-driving

SINGAPORE - The Traffic Police arrested 17 motorists for drink-driving in an island-wide operation in the early morning of Friday, July 25.

Various road blocks were set up across Singapore, and 61 drivers were stopped and tested for alcohol consumption. Of which, 17 drivers, all men aged between 21 and 55, failed the Breath Evidential Analyser (BEA) test and were arrested for drink-driving.

The highest BEA test result was 67 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is almost double the prescribed legal limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Drink drivers, upon conviction, will be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months. They will lose their driving licences and have to retake and pass the theory and practical driving tests in order to obtain their driving licences again. In addition, first-time offenders can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000 and can have their driving licences disqualified for a period of 12 to 48 months, depending on their BEA test results.

Repeat offenders may be punished with a maximum fine of $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of up to three years. They may also be caned up to six strokes should death or serious injury be caused.

natlim@sph.com.sg