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More caught for drink-driving, but fewer deaths caused

SINGAPORE — The number of drink-drivers caught in the first half of the year edged up slightly, although there have been fewer deaths caused by accidents related to drink-driving, figures provided by the Traffic Police showed.

SINGAPORE — The number of drink-drivers caught in the first half of the year edged up slightly, although there have been fewer deaths caused by accidents related to drink-driving, figures provided by the Traffic Police showed.

From January to June, there were 1,541 motorists caught for drink-driving, a slight increase from the 1,535 arrested in the same period last year.

There was a fall, however, in the number of fatalities from drink-driving-related accidents. Twelve were recorded between January and October, down from 16 in the same period last year.

The improving drink-driving situation since 2010 bucked the trend last year with a sharp spike.

At the launch of the STCars Anti-Drink Drive Campaign yesterday evening, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Soh Wan Khuan, commanding officer for the Traffic Police’s Road Safety Branch, said the police would not ease up on efforts to educate the public about drink-driving and continue to crack down on errant drivers.

This year’s anti-drink-driving campaign message continues to be the one used since 2009: Don’t drive to drink. And you’ll never drink and drive.

Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said the other key message was for drinking partygoers to “get a ride home”.

“We are not against drinking. We want (people) to drive responsibly and if (they) drive, don’t drink,” added DSP Soh.

Speaking at the campaign’s launch held at Pan Pacific Hotel, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said everyone could play a part in preventing drink-driving.

Those going out for drinks should take public transport, while those hosting functions or events should offer non-alcoholic options for guests intending to drive, he added.

They should also gently remind friends and loved ones who have consumed alcohol to take alternative modes of transport instead of driving.

“Our intent is clear: Drink-driving endangers lives and we must and will take severe action against offenders,” said Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal.

The prescribed legal limit is a blood-alcohol content of 80mg per 100ml of blood, or breath-alcohol content of 35 microgrammes per 100ml of breath.

If convicted, first-time drink-driving offenders could be fined between S$1,000 and S$5,000 or jailed up to six months and have their driving licences disqualified for a period of 12 to 48 months.

Repeat offenders face a mandatory jail term of up to three years and a maximum fine of S$30,000.

They may also face up to six strokes of the cane should death or serious injury be caused.

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