17 motorists face drink-driving charges after September and October police checks
Seventeen motorists were due to be charged in court on Thursday, 22 October 2026, for drink driving offences, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on 21 October. The drivers, aged between 24 and 59, were arrested between September and October 2026 after failing breathalyser tests during police enforcement checks.
In two of the cases, the motorists’ breath alcohol readings were more than twice the prescribed legal limit, the police said. In the first case, a 38-year-old man had drunk three to four cups of beer before he started driving. He was stopped for checks and failed the breathalyser test. In the second, a 30-year-old man had drunk two bottles of beer before driving and was stopped while sending a friend home. He also failed the test.
The police did not say what types of vehicles the 17 motorists were driving, or whether any of them were driving for work at the time.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence under Section 67(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. A first conviction carries a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. For a second or subsequent conviction, the fine rises to between $5,000 and $20,000, with a mandatory jail term of up to two years. Offenders may also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act,” the police said, adding that they do not condone drink driving and will not hesitate to take firm action against motorists who drink and drive. The police urged anyone who intends to drink to take a taxi or private hire car, use public transport, engage a valet, or arrange for a non-drinking driver to take them home.
For businesses that run vans, lorries or buses, the point about disqualification across all classes of vehicles is worth noting. A conviction does not only affect the vehicle a person was driving when caught: under the penalties the police set out, a driver who is disqualified could lose the ability to drive any vehicle, including the commercial vehicles their job depends on.
Fleet operators may want to use enforcement news like this as a reminder to staff that roadside breathalyser checks are ongoing, and to make sure company policies on alcohol and driving are clear, including for drivers who take vehicles home after work.
The police reminded all motorists to obey traffic laws to keep the roads safe for everyone.
Source: Singapore Police Force news release, 21 October 2026 — Read the original
