Suspected drink driver arrested after allegedly crashing into road divider, hurling vulgarities, assaulting cop

SINGAPORE — When police officers responded to the scene of an accident along Middle Road in the wee hours of Monday (Oct 31) morning, they were met with an uncooperative driver who allegedly hurled vulgarities and hit one of the officers on the head.

The 35-year-old man was arrested for the alleged offences of voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty, using abusive language against a public servant as well as for suspected drink driving.

In a news release on Tuesday, the police said they were alerted to the traffic accident involving a car which had crashed into a road divider along Middle Road at about 2.35am on Monday.

When officers arrived at the scene and engaged with the car driver, he allegedly hurled vulgarities at them and hit one of the officers on the head.

The 31-year-old officer was taken conscious to the hospital and received outpatient treatment, the police said.

If found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty, the man may be jailed for up to seven years, fined or caned.

The offence of using abusive language against a public servant under Section 6(3) Protection from Harassment Act 2014 carries a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to S$5,000 or both.

Separately, the offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol carries a fine of not less than S$2,000 and not more than S$10,000, or a jail term of not more than 12 months or both. Repeat offenders, the police warned, face a harsher punishment.

"Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles,” said the police.

The police added that driving under the influence of alcohol is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act that can cause a serious or fatal traffic accident.

“All motorists are reminded to abide with traffic rules to keep the roads safe for everyone,” the authorities said.

“The police have zero tolerance towards such acts of violence against police officers or public servants who are carrying out their duties and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who endanger the safety of our officers or other road users.”