Quarterly statistics on traffic accidents from 2023 to 2025 linked to substance use and traffic police assessment protocols for such cases

Ms Valerie Lee: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Traffic Police assesses motorists involved in traffic accidents for vaping or drug use as part of its standard protocol; (b) in the past three years, what is the number of traffic accidents that have been linked to vaping or drug use, per quarter of each year; and (c) whether stricter penalties can be considered for such offences.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Traffic Police (TP) assesses motorists involved in an accident for impaired driving. If TP suspects drug or etomidate use, a blood test will be required. Drivers may be liable for the offence of driving while under influence.

2. Between 2023 and 2025, 77 accidents were suspected of drug and/or etomidate use. 25 of the 77 cases were suspected of drug use, while the remainder were suspected of etomidate use. Of all these cases, two were suspected to involve drug and etomidate use.

3. Today, there are already enhanced penalties if a motorist causes an accident while driving under influence. For example, a first-time offender convicted of dangerous driving causing death while driving under influence face an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a minimum 12-year driving disqualification. The Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to monitor the adequacy of our penalties.