A 31-year-old man is set to be charged on Dec. 18 with driving under the influence of etomidate, marking the first such case in Singapore.
Details of the Incident
The man was involved in a traffic accident on Bras Basah Road on July 14 and will also face charges of dangerous driving, according to police.
Authorities stated this will be the first instance of a motorist being charged with a traffic offense involving etomidate abuse.
Driving Pattern and Collision
On July 14, the man allegedly drove against the flow of traffic in Supreme Court Lane between 5:40 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. He then drove through a traffic junction on a right-turn-only lane and entered the path of another vehicle without slowing down, resulting in a collision near Bencoolen Street.
Police officers at the scene observed signs of impairment in the man, including slurred speech, drooping eyelids, and delayed responses. He was unable to provide a coherent account of the accident and tested negative on a breathalyzer.
Evidence and Drug Classification
A search of the man’s car revealed three e-vaporizers and a packet of contraband cigarettes. A subsequent blood analysis by the Health Sciences Authority detected etomidate in his system.
Etomidate and its analogues were classified as Class C controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Sept. 1.
More information on the classification can be found here.
Penalties and Police Statement
Driving under the influence of a drug carries a potential fine of $2,000 to $10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. Dangerous driving can result in a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. In both cases, offenders may also be disqualified from driving.
Police emphasized the extreme danger and irresponsibility of driving under the influence of drugs, noting that etomidate impaired the man’s judgment and that no one was injured in the accident. They stated they will take “very tough action” against motorists who drive under the influence of drugs, psychoactive substances, intoxicating substances, or alcohol.
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