February 24, 2025
News
Characterist in the news: CNA Explains “Are Singapore’s laws adequate to tackle the problem of drink driving?”
In a CNA Explains article on drink driving laws in Singapore, CNA examined the offence of drink driving in Singapore and the various penalties and consequences that offenders may face.
CNA interviewed various lawyers on the position in law, including Characterist's Daniel Goh Choon Wah and Mitchell Leon.
Commenting on the recent amendments to the Road Traffic Act (RTA) in 2019, Mitchell highlighted that "the maximum sentences [for drink driving] were essentially doubled with the 2019 amendments [to the RTA], with the minimum disqualification period also doubled from 12 months to two years." He also noted that "[i]t is clear that the enhanced sentencing regime post-2019 was intended to create a strong deterrence to would-be drink drivers, as well as irresponsible or reckless drivers".
From a motor vehicle insurance perspective, Daniel commented that "in most cases, the insurance contract stipulates that drink driving constitutes grounds for the repudiation of insurance liability...In particular, some insurance policies might provide that any amount of alcohol consumed is grounds for repudiation. In other words, the driver need not necessarily exceed the legal limit under the Act of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood".
Read the full CNA article here.
CNA interviewed various lawyers on the position in law, including Characterist's Daniel Goh Choon Wah and Mitchell Leon.
Commenting on the recent amendments to the Road Traffic Act (RTA) in 2019, Mitchell highlighted that "the maximum sentences [for drink driving] were essentially doubled with the 2019 amendments [to the RTA], with the minimum disqualification period also doubled from 12 months to two years." He also noted that "[i]t is clear that the enhanced sentencing regime post-2019 was intended to create a strong deterrence to would-be drink drivers, as well as irresponsible or reckless drivers".
From a motor vehicle insurance perspective, Daniel commented that "in most cases, the insurance contract stipulates that drink driving constitutes grounds for the repudiation of insurance liability...In particular, some insurance policies might provide that any amount of alcohol consumed is grounds for repudiation. In other words, the driver need not necessarily exceed the legal limit under the Act of 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood".
Read the full CNA article here.
