39 motorists to be charged with drink driving

SINGAPORE – A total of 39 motorists, aged between 26 and 61, will be charged with drink driving on June 26.

In a statement on June 25, the police said the motorists, 35 men and four women, were arrested between March and June after failing a breathalyser test.

Five of them, aged between 33 and 61, will also be given an additional charge over leaving their vehicles in a manner that caused undue inconvenience to others.

They are said to have left their cars in a stationary position at Hill Street, Jalan Eunos, Bukit Timah Road, Paya Lebar Road and Upper Thomson Road respectively.

In doing so, they obstructed other road users and posed a danger to them, said the police.

“Investigations revealed that they had driven their cars after allegedly consuming alcohol, and subsequently fell asleep behind the wheel,” the police added.

Among the five, one will also be charged over refusing to provide a breath sample for a breathalyser test.

If convicted of drink driving, the motorists can be fined between $2,000 and $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.

Repeat offenders can be fined between $5,000 and $20,000, and jailed up to two years. They may also be barred from driving all classes of vehicles.

For the smaller group of five, if they are convicted of leaving their vehicles in a manner that causes undue inconvenience, they can be fined up to $2,000, jailed for up to three months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they can be fined up to $5,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.

Failing to provide a breath sample could result in a fine between $1,000 and $5,000 or a jail term of up to six months if convicted.

If it is their second or subsequent conviction, those found guilty can be fined between $3,000 and $10,000, or jailed for up to 12 months.

Stressing that driving under the influence is “an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act”, the police said they will not hesitate to take action against those who drink and drive.