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A 26-year-old man will be charged in court on 18 December 2025 for driving under the influence of a drug and for dangerous driving. This is the first case where a motorist will be charged for a traffic offence involving etomidate abuse.

On 14 July 2025 between 5.40 pm and 6.30 pm, the man drove against the flow of traffic along Supreme Court Lane. He then drove straight through a traffic junction on a right turn-only lane in heavy traffic, into the path of another vehicle. He did not slow down, which resulted in a collision with the vehicle along Bras Basah Road towards Raffles Boulevard near Bencoolen Street.

When Police officers attended to the scene, they observed that the man exhibited signs of impairment, including slurred speech, drooping eyelids and delayed responses to questions. He was unable to provide a coherent account of how the accident occurred. A handheld breathanalyser test yielded a negative result for alcohol. A search of his car found three e-vaporisers and a packet of contraband cigarettes.

The man was arrested, and subsequent blood analysis by the Health Sciences Authority detected etomidate in his blood sample. 

Etomidate and its analogues were classified as Class C controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 on 1 September 2025. The man will be charged with driving under the influence of a drug under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and dangerous driving under Section 64(1)(b) punishable under Section 64(5)(a) read with Section 64(5)(c) and Section 64(9)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

The offence of driving under the influence of a drug under Section 67(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, and a jail term of up to two years, or both. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicle.

The offence of dangerous driving under Section 64(1)(b) punishable under Section 64(5)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a fine of up to $5,000, or an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, offenders are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicle.

Driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. In this case, etomidate impaired the driver’s judgement, resulting in him driving dangerously and colliding into another vehicle. It was fortunate that no one was injured. 

The Police will take very tough action against motorists who drive under the influence of drugs, psychoactive substances, intoxicating substances or alcohol. 

Annex

The damaged car driven by the offender while under the influence of etomidate, which resulted in a collision along Bras Basah Road. 



Victim’s car that was struck by the offender’s vehicle. 

  





The three e-vaporisers found in the possession of the 26-year-old man.