Police arrested a 58-year-old man last night for suspected drink-driving and his involvement in a hit-and-run traffic accident.

On 11 February 2010 at about 10.20 pm, the man was driving along Jalan Besar towards Bencoolen Street when he collided into a 75-year-old male cyclist. Instead of stopping, the man continued to drive off, and subsequently collided into a stationary car parked along Kelantan Lane. The cyclist sustained abrasions on his limbs and was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for treatment.

Police arrested the man after he failed the breathalyzer test administered. A subsequent Breath Evidential Analyser test showed that his breath contained 76 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres, significantly exceeding the legally prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

Traffic Police would like to remind all motorists that drink driving is a very serious offence and the penalties are severe. Drink drivers, upon conviction, will be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months, which would, in effect, invalidate their driving licence. In addition, first-time offenders can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000 or jailed up to six months, while repeat offenders may be punished with a maximum fine of $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of up to three years.

Traffic Police would also like to remind motorists who are involved in accidents where any party is injured that they should never leave the accident scene. Motorists must stop and render necessary assistance such as calling for an ambulance to attend to the injured party. Failure to do so is an offence under Sec 84 of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 276 and if convicted, the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

Acting Commander of Traffic Police, Superintendent of Police Poh Lye Hin advises all motorists not to drink and drive during this festive period. He added, “Be driven home if you have taken alcoholic beverages. Make it home safely.”