A 68-year-old man was sentenced to six weeks in jail and fined $21,000 after being caught drink driving for the second time. On February 20, 2025, Chua Ah Seng admitted to one count of drink driving and another of driving without due care and attention. In addition to his jail term and fine, he was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 84 months after his release.
Chua’s offence took place on August 20, 2024, at around midnight when he attempted to enter the carpark of Block 109 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh through the exit. Failing to gain access, he reversed his car but lost control, mounting a road kerb. When tested, he was found to have 79 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres (ml) of breath—more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg.
Chua had previously been convicted of drink driving in May 2008, when his breathalyser test recorded 73mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Despite the earlier offence, he reoffended with an even higher alcohol level this time. The court noted that he not only posed a danger to other road users but also had a passenger in his car at the time of the incident.
During sentencing, District Judge Shawn Ho acknowledged Chua’s plea to lower the fine but noted that the penalty was already far from the maximum possible. If Chua fails to pay the fine, he will serve an additional 42 days in jail.
Chua was one of 21 motorists, aged between 31 and 68, who were charged in court on February 20, 2025, for drink driving. The police stated that these drivers were arrested between July 2024 and February 2025 after failing breathalyser tests during enforcement checks.
Among them, two repeat offenders—41-year-old Wang Jinping and 42-year-old Francis Ng Tien Ming—were also charged. Wang was caught on December 14, 2024, at around 3:40 am while driving along Upper Cross Street with 53mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. Ng was stopped on July 6, 2024, at the same time in the morning along Nicoll Highway, with a breathalyser reading of 54mcg. Both had previous convictions for drink driving in 2016 and now face a mandatory jail sentence if found guilty again.
Under Singapore’s laws, first-time drink driving offenders can be fined between $2,000 and $10,000, sentenced to up to 12 months in jail, or both. Repeat offenders face fines between $5,000 and $20,000, along with up to two years in jail.
According to police statistics, there were 123 drink-driving-related accidents in the first nine months of 2024, resulting in 10 deaths. During the same period, approximately 1,260 people were arrested for drink driving. The authorities have reiterated their strict stance against such offences and continue to carry out regular enforcement operations to deter irresponsible driving.
The risks associated with drink driving are severe, not only for the offenders but also for innocent road users. The courts have consistently imposed strict penalties to prevent repeat offences and reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents.
Chua’s case highlights the serious consequences of drink driving, especially for repeat offenders. With strict laws and ongoing police enforcement, the authorities aim to make Singapore’s roads safer and prevent further casualties caused by reckless and intoxicated drivers.
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