Launch of the Anti-drink Drive Campaign 2024 – Speech by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development

Mr Bernard Tay, Chairman, Singapore Road Safety Council,

Mr Nasen Thiagarajan, President of Singapore Nightlife Business Association,

Ms Michelle Koh, Executive Director, Singapore River One,

SAC Daniel Tan, Commander, Traffic Police,

Distinguished Guests and Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. A very good evening to you. It is my pleasure to join you at the launch of this year’s Anti-Drink Drive Campaign.

2. The festive season is around the corner, a time when many will gather to celebrate with their families, friends and loved ones. While some may indulge in a drink or two, and others perhaps more, we find ourselves repeating an important message: drinking and driving are a dangerous combination. Please be responsible – do not drink and drive.

3. The Traffic Police, together with the Singapore Road Safety Council, organises the Anti-Drink Drive Campaign annually to remind those who consume alcoholic drinks not to drive or ride.

The Drink Driving Situation

4. Let me share some recent statistics with you. In the first half of 2024, we saw a concerning trend in drink-driving incidents. The number of drink-driving accidents increased by 9.1%, rising from 88 to 96 compared to the same period last year. There were nine fatal accidents in the first half of this year where drink driving was involved; one more than last year. These numbers are not just statistics.

5. Every life affected is someone's loved one. These incidents impact our whole community, and what makes them particularly heartbreaking is that they are preventable. This is why our anti-drink drive efforts are so crucial.

Drink-Driving Has Serious Consequences

6. Drink-driving carries serious consequences. Lives have been lost or ruined due to the irresponsible actions of drink-drivers. Let me share one tragic case to illustrate this point.

7. A 33-year-old driver had consumed four cans of beer and chose to drive. He drove at excessive speeds between 92 km/h and 169 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The result was horrific.

8. The driver lost control of his vehicle while making a turn, crashed through a centre divider, and collided with multiple vehicles waiting at a red-light junction. This reckless act claimed the life of a 59-year-old Gojek driver, who at the time of the accident was on shift. The victim suffered a traumatic rupture of his main artery and died in hospital on the same day.

9. Five others were left with injuries ranging from lacerations to traumatic brain injury. Among the vehicles involved was a car ferrying two young children aged six and nine. Fortunately, they escaped without any injury.

10. The driver was sentenced to seven years in jail and given a driving ban for 12 years. However, these penalties cannot compensate for the loss of life. Even for those who survive such accidents, the victims may suffer long-term medical issues or permanent disabilities. I’ve come across such cases; not only the victim suffers, but it also affects the whole family.

11. This case is a stark reminder of the deadly combination of driving and alcohol. The court's sentence sent a clear signal to all motorists about the severe consequences of such irresponsible behaviour on our roads.

Zero Tolerance for Drink-Driving Behaviour in Singapore

12. The penalties for drink-driving offences were raised in 2019, to reflect the seriousness of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

13. Let me emphasise this: those who drink and drive show a blatant disregard for the safety of other road users. These irresponsible and errant drivers will be dealt with severely.

(a) First-time offenders of standalone drink-driving offences may be fined up to $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) For those who commit careless or dangerous driving offences, there are additional penalties if the offences were committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These come in the form of longer maximum jail terms and longer disqualification periods.

14. The Police conduct roadblocks at different locations every day, to deter and detect motorists who drink and drive. Recently, on 8 November 2024, as part of a multi-agency enforcement operation in the Joo Chiat area, the Traffic Police conducted a ringfencing operation. A total of 12 drivers were arrested for suspected drink driving.

Reaching Motorists Through Viral Videos and Emotive Content

15. On the continuous public education front, we are constantly seeking new ways to reiterate the anti-drink drive message to reach motorists effectively. For example, the Singapore Police Force released two anti-drink drive TikTok videos which resonated well with members of the public and went viral online. To date, the two videos have attracted more than two million views on TikTok.

16. Today, we are going to launch an emotive video that shows how impaired driving can lead to irreversible consequences. I encourage everyone to watch this video and share it with your families, friends and loved ones.

17. Everyone plays a vital role in keeping our roads safe. Let us pledge to never drink and drive. When we know our friends intend to consume alcoholic drinks, we can remind them to leave their vehicles at home. To show that we care, let's take turns being the designated driver among friends and abstain from drinking during gatherings.

18. Alternatively, we could all enjoy a relaxing bus or train ride, hail a taxi or private hire car, or even use a valet service. These days, there are plenty of user-friendly apps that can get us home in a breeze. Let's make the journey home safe and worry-free after a fun night out.

Collaborating with Nightlife Industry to Promote Road Safety

19. We also engage stakeholders by partnering with entertainment outlet associations. I am happy to have stakeholders, including the Singapore Nightlife Business Association and Singapore River One, here with us to launch this year's anti-drink drive campaign. They represent around 600 Food and Beverage, Entertainment and Nightlife outlets in Singapore. The Traffic Police will work with these associations to involve businesses in spreading responsible drinking and anti-drink-driving messages.

Conclusion

20. Above all, it is heartening to see friends, stakeholders, and partners joining us this evening. I extend my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support of our road safety initiatives throughout the year, particularly for this anti-drink driving campaign. I want to specially thank the Traffic Police and Singapore Road Safety Council for organising this meaningful event.

21. As we approach the festive season, I wish you all a prosperous and joyful year ahead. Most importantly, I wish you safe journeys on our roads. Let's continue to look out for one another and make responsible choices that keep our community safe. Get home safely. Thank you.