The scourge of drink driving looks like it is not going away any time soon, if The New Paper’s checks with valets at several nightspots are anything to go by.
Last weekend, we spoke to some of them at the Tanjong Pagar, Orchard Road and Boat Quay areas.
Five valets said it was not unusual to encounter clubbers who insist on driving themselves home, even when they had drunk too much.
Said a valet working in a club at Tanjong Pagar, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ameen: “We have customers who insist on driving themselves home after clubbing. I honestly don’t know why they take the risk. We charge them only $50 to drive them back, but if they refuse, we can only remind them that it is against the law as we can’t force them.”
Last year, the police arrested 2,917 people for drink driving.
This is a 6.6 per cent increase compared to 2,735 in 2011.
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This is a very disturbing trend to reveal as we all know how drink driving can endanger other road users other than the driver himself. It is a very selfish act which should not be tolerated. It seems that people will only obey the law when they see the flashing red/blue lights.
The Traffic Police's blitz against drink driving saw 20 motorists arrested early this morning.
In the pre-dawn operation, road blocks were set up at Ganges
Avenue, Clemeanceau Avenue, Jalan Bukit Merah, Mountbatten Road and Sims
Avenue from 1.30 am to 4.30 am.
More than 72 drivers were
stopped and tested for alcohol consumption. Of these, 20 motorists - 18
men and 2 women aged between 23 and 53 - were arrested for drink
driving.
The highest Breath Evidential Analyser (BEA) test
result was 106 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
which is more than 3 times the prescribed legal limit is 35
microgrammes.
Acting Commander of Traffic Police, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner of Police Poh Lye Hin, said: "Drink drivers who
failed the BEA test will be prosecuted in court. Pleading ignorance of
our laws or having perceptions such as drinking two glasses of beer will
be within the legal alcohol limit will not absolve you of the drink
driving charge."
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I urge all drivers to be responsible for your own actions. By the time you see that flashing red/blue lights, it's too late. Leave the vehicle at home if you're heading out for a drink.
Have a safe and enjoyable festive season.
