Drug use by drivers risks road safety

In his reply, Shanmugam also revealed that there were 38 traffic accidents linked to drug and etomidate use between 2023 and 2025. Of these, 19 cases were fatal.

Among the fatal cases, 10 involved drugs, while nine involved the use of etomidate, the police later said.

Of the 38 accidents, 29 had occurred in 2025 and 18 cases involved the use of etomidate, seven of which also involved the use of other drugs.

Tang said impairment from etomidate increases the risk of delayed reaction, poor hazard perception, and loss of vehicle control.

“This not only endangers the driver but also significantly increases the risk of harm to passengers, pedestrians, and other road users,” he said.

Tang added: “It has also been reported that etomidate Kpod use can induce psychiatric symptoms such as depressed mood, increased aggression and impulsivity, leading to suicide attempts.

“These effects significantly compromise the ability to safely operate a vehicle.”

Traffic deaths hit a 10-year high in 2025, with 149 killed, compared with 141 in 2016. There were 142 deaths in 2024. The number of injured people also increased, from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025.

Given the dire situation on the roads, The Straits Times has been running a series of stories to call on all road users to be more careful.

The recent alleged offenders in court include Mohamed Firdouz Mohamed Akram, who was handed multiple charges on June 19 including causing injuries to two people while driving in a dangerous manner in Kallang.

The 36-year-old was involved in a collision with a taxi, leaving the driver of the cab and a passenger injured. After the accident, Firdouz abandoned his car and fled.

He was arrested later and found to have consumed Ice. Police said drugs, vaporisers and weapons were found in his vehicle.

On June 10, Puah Zhe Cong was handed seven charges under the Road Traffic Act, including dangerous driving causing death and failing to stop after the accident.

The 34-year-old, who allegedly consumed etomidate, is accused of causing one death and two injuries while driving under the influence of drugs.

On June 8, Sivakandesh, 32, was charged in court with several offences, including driving while under the influence of methamphetamine, after his Mercedes-Benz crashed it into a rubbish chute in Yishun Street 11.

The car struck two concrete bollards, a parked vehicle and a rubbish chute before coming to a stop. The vehicle’s registration plates were removed after the accident.

In a separate case, Jessica Ang Kai Kai had on June 19 pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges for traffic- and vape-related offences.

The 26-year-old, whose charges include abetting her husband in committing a string of traffic offences, was arrested with another woman after a police chase near Jalan Besar Road at about 5.50am on June 29, 2025.

Ang, who drove the car, later tested positive for Ice.

The incident happened just minutes after her husband – a wanted man – was arrested by police near the Mustafa Centre. Ang will be sentenced on June 29.

For driving while under the influence of an intoxicating substance, a first-time offender can be jailed for up to a year, fined up to $10,000, or both.

A repeat offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.

In their statement on June 18, the police said that driving under the influence of drugs is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act.

“The police will take firm action against motorists who drive under the influence of drugs, psychoactive substances, intoxicating substances or alcohol.”