Jail, lifetime driving ban and fine for repeat drink-driver who crashed into bus, cursed at police officers

SINGAPORE — While he was drunk, with three times the prescribed alcohol limit, Quah Soon Hoe drove home in his Mazda and struck a stationary bus.

The 61-year-old then hurled several vulgarities at police officers who came to check on him, denied that he had been drinking and refused to answer their questions.

For these offences, which Quah had committed with multiple driving-related convictions already under his belt, he was on Wednesday (March 23) jailed for five months and one week, fined S$25,000 and disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for life.

He pleaded guilty to one charge each of driving under the influence of alcohol, abusing a public servant and driving without due care and attention.

Two other similar charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.

The court heard that he had gone to Orchid Country Club to play golf on the evening of April 20 last year. He then went to a small eatery near the golf range with some friends and drank alcohol, stopping at about 9.45pm.

He left in his car and drove almost 5km while on the way back to his Sembawang landed home.

At the bus stop opposite Chong Pang Camp along Sembawang Road, a bus stopped behind his vehicle. He then reversed his car and crashed into the front of the bus.

Two police officers responded to a call from a member of the public and spotted Quah inside his car with his head down and eyes closed.

When asked to step out of the vehicle, Quah, who smelled strongly of alcohol, was incoherent in speech and in a daze. Paramedics then arrived to check on him.

A police officer asked Quah for his particulars and he replied using an expletive.

Another police officer arrived shortly afterwards and approached Quah to interview him for suspected drink-driving. Quah did not cooperate and declined to answer any questions, and again used an expletive on the officer.

He was taken to Woodlands Police Division headquarters for further investigations. While on the way there in a police vehicle, he cursed at the officers some more.

A breathalyser test showed that he had 106mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The prescribed limit for drivers is 35mg in every 100ml.

No one was injured in the accident. Quah paid about S$5,200 in costs incurred by the Land Transport Authority to fix scratches and dents on the bus.

The court heard that his driving offences dated back to 1994, including drink-driving in 1994 and 1997 as well as failing to give his breath specimen in 2002. Most recently in 2020, he committed a compounded speeding offence.

Because of these, he was liable for enhanced punishment under the Road Traffic Act, as well as a mandatory disqualification for life from holding or obtaining a driving licence.

Those convicted of a second or subsequent offence of drink-driving can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to S$20,000.