On 15 August 2025, former Police Assistant Superintendent Bernard Tan Bee Sen, 53, was sentenced to one year and two months in jail and fined $6,000 for a serious drunk driving incident in 2023 that left a motorcyclist badly injured. The court also disqualified him from holding or obtaining any class of driving licence for seven years from the date of his release.
The case unfolded on 18 August 2023, when Tan, who already had a history of traffic offences including speeding and careless driving between 1999 and 2012, spent the evening drinking at a pub along Upper Paya Lebar Road. Between 7pm and 11pm, he consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
At around 11.50pm, Tan was driving along Bartley Road East towards Tampines Avenue 10 when he lost control of his car. The vehicle first veered left, hitting a concrete barrier, then swerved sharply right into a motorcycle. The 28-year-old female motorcyclist was flung off her bike, suffering multiple fractures, including to her left shoulder blade and several ribs.
Instead of stopping to help, Tan drove away from the accident scene. A 29-year-old motorist who witnessed the collision noticed Tan’s vehicle about 50 metres ahead and suspected it had been involved. After ensuring the victim received help, the witness pursued Tan’s car, took a photo of it, and later returned to the scene, finding a side mirror cover matching the vehicle’s colour. This evidence was provided to the police.
The injured motorcyclist was taken to Changi General Hospital conscious but in severe pain. She required an 18-day hospital stay and was given 163 days of medical leave to recover from her injuries.
Traffic Police officers tracked Tan to his home in the early hours of 19 August 2023. He failed an initial breathalyser test and was brought to the TP headquarters for a second test, which showed 78 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35 mcg.
In court, Tan pleaded guilty to three charges: drink-driving, causing grievous hurt while driving without due care, and failing to stop to help the victim. Deputy Public Prosecutor Darren Ang highlighted Tan’s prior traffic record and the seriousness of leaving an injured person without assistance.
Defence lawyer CK Teo argued that Tan was remorseful and intended to appeal his sentence. Tan’s bail was set at $20,000 pending appeal.
The judge noted the aggravating factors, including Tan’s position as a senior police officer who should have upheld road safety standards rather than violate them. The sentencing sends a strong signal about the consequences of drunk driving, especially when it results in serious injury and a failure to render aid.
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