16 motorists arrested in early morning drink driving blitz

16 motorists were arrested in a drink driving blitz early this morning. 

The operations by the Traffic Police were conducted at Clemenceau Avenue, Crawford Street, Jalan Toa Payoh and Kallang Road. 

The drivers aged between 24 and 55 (14 males and 2 females) had failed the breathalyser test. 

The highest breathalyser test result was 54 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 mililitres of breath. This exceeded the prescribed legal limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 mililitres of breath. 

Commander of Traffic Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Cheang Keng Keong, said:

"Motorists who drink and drive are being selfish and simply disregard their own safety as well as that of others. It's not a case of whether you will be caught. It's a matter of when you will be caught. When the time comes, you can expect to be dealt with the full extent of the law." 

Drink drivers, on conviction, will be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months. 

They will lose their driving licences and have to retake the theory and practical driving tests in order to obtain their driving licences again. 

First-time offenders can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000, or jailed up to 6 months. 

Repeat offenders may be punished with a maximum fine of $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of up to three years. 

They may also be caned up to six strokes should death or serious injury be caused.