6 arrested for dangerous driving and drink driving over the new year

Six motorists were arrested for dangerous driving and drink driving over the new year.

In a joint island-wide operation, which ran from New Year's Eve to the wee hours of New Year's Day, the Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority, slapped 91 summonses on errant motorists, said a police statement.

Sixty-three summonses were issued for illegal modifications to vehicles, four summonses for speeding while the remaining ones were for minor traffic offences.

Senior Station Inspector Rudy Bin Ismail, Officer-in-charge of Traffic Police's Special Operations Team said: "The Traffic Police takes a serious view against motorists who commit traffic offences that endanger the safety of other road users and will not hesitate to take firm actions against errant and irresponsible motorists. We would also like to remind all road users to adhere to the vehicular and road speed limits, as well as, to comply with traffic light signals at all times."

Drivers found guilty of dangerous driving will lose their driving licences. In addition, first-time offenders may face a fine not exceeding $3,000, or a jail term not more than12 months, or face both penalties. Repeat offenders may be punished with a fine not exceeding $5,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both.

Drink drivers, upon conviction, will be disqualified from driving. They will have to retake and pass their driving test in order to obtain a licence again. First-time offenders are liable to be fined between $1,000 and $5,000, as well as face disqualification from driving for a period of 12 to 48 months.

Repeat offenders may face a maximum fine of $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of up to three years. They may also be given up to six strokes of the cane if they cause death or serious injury to other road users.

Drivers guilty of speeding are liable to be fined between $130 and $200 and penalised with four to 24 demerit driving points.

chenj@sph.com.sg