Anti-drink Drive Campaign 2023 – Speech by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development

Mr Bernard Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council

Mr Hong Poh Hin, Chairman of Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association

Mr Nasen Thiagarajan, President of Singapore Nightlife Business Association

Commander Traffic Police, Daniel Tan

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1. A very good evening to all of you.  Thank you for being with us despite the heavy rain. I sincerely appreciate your presence and your support. I’m very happy to join you in the launch of this year’s Anti-Drink Drive Campaign.

2. This campaign is jointly organised by the Traffic Police and Singapore Road Safety Council every year, to raise awareness about the dangers of drink-driving, and to remind motorists not to drink and drive.

Drink-Driving Situation

3. Drink-driving continues to be a serious concern; the number of motorists who drink and drive remains high.

4. In the first half of 2023:

(a) Close to 790 persons were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

(b) Accidents related to drink-driving increased by 21%. There were 85 such accidents, as compared to 70 in the same period last year.

(c) Six precious lives were lost due to these accidents, compared to three previously.

5. Each of these accidents was a result of a reckless choice to drink and drive. A choice that not only endangered the driver, but also led to grave consequences for other road users and their families.

6. Just last month, a 35-year-old man was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for the offences of drink-driving, and dangerous driving causing death.

(a) Prior to the accident, he had had dinner with his brother and two friends, where he drank four cans of beer. He subsequently got behind the wheel, with his brother in the front seat.

(b) The offender sped on his journey home, reaching up to speeds of 169 km/h when the speed limit was 60 km/h. He then lost control of his vehicle while making a left turn, ploughed into a centre divider and struck multiple vehicles at a red light.

(c) His actions killed a 59-year-old GoJek driver. The deceased left behind his wife.

(d) A 25-year-old motorcyclist, who had been passing through at the time, suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures as a result of being crushed between the vehicles. The injuries are likely to be life-altering.

(e) Two passengers on board the GoJek car, aged 24 and 25 years old, survived with a mild head injury and several wounds.

(f) A taxi driver and another driver were also injured from the accident. These are not only drivers and road users – they have their own family members as well.

(g) The offender was found to have 42 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millimetres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

(h) For his irresponsible and reckless driving behaviour, he will be also disqualified from driving for 12 years upon his release from prison.

The Police Takes Drink-Driving Offences Seriously

7. We amended the Road Traffic Act in 2019 and raised the penalties for drink-driving offences, to reflect the seriousness of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

8. We wanted to send a strong and clear message that those who drink and drive show a blatant disregard for the safety of other road users; and will be dealt with severely.

(a) We doubled the penalties for standalone drink-driving offences. First-time offenders may be fined up $10,000 or sentenced up to a year in jail, or both. They will also be liable for disqualification from driving, for a minimum period of two years.

(b) We also introduced additional penalties for motorists who are found to be driving under influence, when they commit careless driving or dangerous driving offences. This will come in the form of longer maximum jail terms and longer minimum disqualification periods.

(c) For example, those who drink and drive, and cause death by dangerous driving could face a jail term of up to 10 years and a disqualification period of up to 12 years. If there were relevant prior convictions, the offender will be considered a serious repeat offender, and could face a jail term of up to 19 years, and a disqualification period of up to 15 years.

9. The Traffic Police conducts roadblocks at different locations daily, to detect and enforce against motorists who drink and drive.

Make the Right Choice: Don’t Drink and Drive

10. What else can we do to prevent drink-driving accidents? The answer is clear and simple. It starts with making the right choice – that is, not to drink and drive.

Businesses Can Play a Part

11. Businesses can play a part to promote responsible drinking behaviour, and help patrons make the right choice.

(a) I am happy to have supporters and stakeholders, like Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association, and the Singapore Nightlife Business Association here with me to launch this year’s anti-drink drive campaign.

(b) They represent close to 600 coffee shops and nightlife business stakeholders in Singapore. The Traffic Police will work with the associations to involve these businesses in spreading the anti-drink-driving message.

(c) This is an important part of our work, because you help to save lives, to avoid injuries, and the loss of loved ones. So, it is a worthwhile effort. I want to urge all of you to advise your family members, your loved ones, to make the right choice.

(d) Businesses will also make it easier to arrange for alternative transportation, by sharing a list of valet services with patrons. It is a commendable effort.

A Personal Responsibility

12. Road safety is a personal responsibility.

13. This responsibility must not be taken lightly. We have seen time and again that motorists underestimate the effects of alcohol or overestimate their alcohol tolerance level. And they make disastrous, wrong choices that take lives and destroy livelihoods. As in the case I shared earlier, even being slightly over the limit can have deadly consequences for the victims, perpetrators and their families. Even if victims survive, there may be long-term impact on their health and body.

14. If you choose to drink, do not drive. Opt for alternative transportation instead. Engage a valet service, or take a taxi. Do not even drive to your venue if you know that you will be drinking.

15. Family and friends can also be the voice of caution to a loved one. If they are consuming alcohol, remind them not to drive, or help them get home safely via alternative means. As road users, we may ourselves be potential victims of drink-driving accidents; and we can have a part to play in preventing these needless tragedies.

Conclusion

16. In conclusion, we will continue to do our best to keep our roads safe, together with our many partners and stakeholders.

17. I want to thank our Traffic Police officers for their hard work in patrolling our roads, to ensure the safety of all road users. Although we see our TP officers dressed very smartly, together with their motorbikes and cars, it is actually a lot of hard work. They have to stand long hours, especially under the hot sun, and also when you want to stop people, it’s not easy sometimes. We will continue to work with them to keep our roads safe, so that we build a community who are aware about what it takes, and how to make the right choice to save lives and ensure the safety of others.

18. I also would like to thank the Singapore Road Safety Council, Land Transport Authority and the driving schools, for their strong partnership in promoting road safety awareness. These organisations, they work very hard as well, because road safety iss something that is integral to the different facets of the work we do. Our facilities, infrastructure, as well as some of the policies. We work together – TP, SRSC, LTA and many other departments. Just last week, we launched the book for children on road safety. Why? Because we care. We care for the young people, we want them to be responsible road users, and we care for their lives and their families and loved ones.

19. Last but not least, I thank the business associations and their respective stakeholders, for their strong support for this year’s anti-drink drive campaign.

20. To all of you here present tonight, you could be somewhere else but you decided to come and support us. Thank you, and my sincere thanks to all those I mentioned before. On that note, I wish all of you an enjoyable evening ahead. Thank you.