Two women have been arrested for their suspected involvement in an evasion of roadblock.
They were among 18 motorists arrested for drink-driving-related offences in an island-wide operation conducted by the Traffic Police (TP) on the morning of 23 December.
Interestingly, the woman who eventually ended up in the driver’s seat did not possess a driving licence.
Car Allegedly Reversed Upon a Roadblock
TP officers were conducting a roadblock along Upper Cross Street towards Central Expressway when the incident occurred.
A car allegedly stopped some distance before the roadblock.
When officers began approaching the car, the driver reversed and drove off.
The driver then swapped seats with the passenger in the car.
The 31-year-old woman who ended up in the driver’s seat was arrested for suspected drink-driving, evasion of roadblock, driving without a valid driving licence, operating a motor vehicle without insurance coverage and obstructing the course of justice.
According to the police, the 28-year-old car owner had permitted the 31-year-old woman to drive the car despite knowing she did not have a valid driving licence.
The 28-year-old was arrested for drink-driving, permitting another person to use a vehicle without a valid driving licence, permitting any other person to operate a car without insurance coverage, and obstructing the course of justice.
Two Women Among 18 Motorists Arrested During Island-wide Operation
During the island-wide operation conducted by TP, 56 motorists were stopped and tested for alcohol consumption at various roadblocks.
Ten men and seven women, aged between 23 and 70 years, failed the test and were arrested for drink-driving.
The police reported that the highest Breath Evidential Analyser test result was 97 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
If you didn’t know, that is nearly three times the legal limit, which is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
A 35-year-old male driver was arrested for failing to provide a specimen of evidential breath for analysis when required to do so.
Consequences
If convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol, one can incur a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000, or a prison sentence of up to 12 months, or both.
Failing to provide a specimen of evidential breath for analysis when required to do so carries a fine of more than $2,000 and not more than $10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
For evasion of roadblock, one can be fined up to $10,000, face an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both.
Using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage carries a fine of up to $1,000, an imprisonment term of up to three months, or both.
We all know that drinking and driving is hazardous.
It inhibits good judgement, results in slow reaction times, diminishes coordination and impairs vision.
Thus, the chances of having a road accident increase.
Drink-driving accident figures were at their lowest in 2020, with 146 such accidents.
However, those statistics have been steadily increasing.
The figure rose to 155 in 2021.
It rose again to 170 in 2022.
Furthermore, the lower figures in 2020 can be attributed to closed nightlife establishments due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Moreover, drink-driving can result in fatal accidents.
In December 2021, a man killed a Gojek driver and injured six others while driving a Mercedes-Benz drunk.
He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in October 2023.
At one point, he was even driving at a speed of between 157 kmh and 169 kmh.
The road he was driving on had a speed limit of 60 kmh.
After his release from jail, the man will be disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Regarding the island-wide operation, the Deputy Commanding Officer of Patrol Unit, Traffic Police, Superintendent Puteh Shariff, said, “Drink-driving is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act which endangers the safety of all road users.
“The Traffic Police takes a serious stance against those who drink and drive and will not hesitate to take firm actions against those who do. Offenders will be prosecuted in court.”
The police reminded motorists that while “out enjoying themselves during the festive season”, they should still not drink and drive.
TP added that motorists should not drive to their destination if they intend to consume alcohol but to use other forms of transport instead.
TP also advised the public to designate a sober friend or family member to send them home after consuming alcohol.