12 arrested in islandwide anti-drink driving blitz, CTE roadblock 1st expressway roadblock in more than 10 years

12 drivers were arrested by the Traffic Police (TP) during an islandwide enforcement blitz against drink driving conducted from Dec. 20 into the wee hours of Dec. 21.

Of the 12, 11 drivers, aged 31 to 48, failed the breathalyser test, with the highest Breath Evidential Analyser (BEA) test result being 60 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath — nearly twice the prescribed legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Of the drink drivers arrested, a 45-year-old man was driving whilst under a driving disqualification order with his wife and nine-year-old child in the car.

The 12th person was a 28-year-old male driver, who was arrested for driving without a valid driving licence and motor vehicle insurance coverage.

The operations, during which the TP stopped a total of 74 motorists for alcohol consumption tests, included a roadblock on the Central Expressway (CTE) — the first time a roadblock has been conducted on an expressway in more than ten years, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

CTE Roadblock: When the expressway comes to a halt

When Mothership arrived at CTE's Exit 7B near Jalan Bahagia at approximately 4am, a long stretch of vehicles — spanning more than one kilometre — could be seen.

All four lanes on the CTE had been merged into a single lane, and cars could only inch forward by the minute.

Regardless of the mode of vehicle — taxis, motorists and delivery trucks  — all were checked sporadically.

Many taxis were also stuck in the jam, with some taking to social media to lament about their loss in earnings and others reaping the benefits of the situation.

Due to the honking, some of those living in the vicinity of the expressway gathered atop the overhead bridge and watched on curiously.

"While members of the public may be accustomed to seeing roadblocks conducted on arterial roads, roadblocks can also be set up in various other locations and terrains, including expressways," said the SPF in a statement released on Dec. 23.

"As TP intensifies its enforcement actions against drink driving to deliver a strong deterrent message to potential offenders, we seek the public's understanding that some inconvenience to motorists during our operations may be unavoidable," added SPF.

Members of public were cooperative

Most members of the public appeared to have cooperated with the police officers.

While some vehicles were questioned quickly and not asked to take the breathalyser test, those who did were asked to park their vehicles along the road shoulder.

Each person was asked for their identification cards by a police officer.

The driver would thereafter undertake a breath test using a portable, handheld digital breathalyser.

Each test took around five to ten minutes if no issues arose.

When a driver was found to have failed the breath test, they were taken away in a police van.

2023: Highest number of drink driving accidents since 2014

The number of drink-driving accidents has been on an upward trend, increasing from 175 cases in 2022 to 180 cases in 2023, warned SPF.

The trend appears to have continued this year.

From January to October 2024, 142 cases of drink driving accidents were recorded, of which 10 were fatal, shared SPF.

The number of drink-driving accidents in the first half of 2024 increased by 9.1 per cent, rising from 88 cases to 96 as compared to the same period in 2023, said Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at the launch of the Anti-drink Drive Campaign on Nov. 28, 2024.

The second half of 2024 also saw numerous accidents on the road, resulting in motorists arrested for drink driving.

On Oct. 13, a car went against the flow of traffic and hit three stationary motorcyclists in Clementi.

Exactly a month later, on Nov. 13, a man who drove after drinking crashed into a public bus.

"Drink driving is a serious offence, and the traffic police have zero tolerance for it. Drunk drivers don't just break the law — they shatter lives and tear families apart," said Lian Wei Xiong, Superintendent of Police.

"The rule is simple, if you drink, don't drive."

Encouraging users to "make responsible choices and keep the roads safe for everyone", particularly during year-end festivities, TP urged commuters to opt for alternative modes of transport when intending to drink.

Penalties

If found guilty of drink driving, first-time offenders may be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to a year, or both.

One will also be disqualified from driving for a minimum period of two years. 

In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine ranging between S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a jail term of up to two years.

Offenders may risk disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

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Top image by Natalie Ong