Eight people were hurt after an accident involving a car, an SBS Transit bus and a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) along Middle Road on Saturday evening, 12 September.
The 31-year-old male car driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, according to the police. A vaporiser was also found in his possession and seized.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Car Rear-Ended Bus While Passengers Were Boarding
The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the accident along Middle Road towards Sophia Road at about 6.45pm.
SBS Transit spokesperson Grace Wu said the car had rear-ended bus service 56 while passengers were boarding and alighting at a bus stop.
Six passengers on the bus were injured.
A 65-year-old female bus passenger was taken conscious to Raffles Hospital, while five other passengers suffered minor injuries and did not require hospital conveyance.
The other passengers were transferred to another bus so they could continue their journeys.
A 32-year-old male PAB rider was also taken conscious to Raffles Hospital.
The authorities have not publicly detailed exactly how the PAB became involved in the accident.
Driver Suffered Minor Injuries and Was Arrested
The 31-year-old driver suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital.
Together with the six injured bus passengers and the PAB rider, this brings the number of people hurt in the accident to eight.
Police subsequently arrested the driver for driving under the influence of drugs.
A vaporiser found in his possession was seized, and the matter relating to the vaporiser has been referred to the Health Sciences Authority.
There has been no announcement that the driver has been charged, and the type of drug allegedly involved has not been disclosed. Police investigations remain ongoing.
Images of the aftermath circulating online showed a black car against the rear of the bus, with visible damage to the car’s front and the bus’ rear section.
Drug-Impaired Driving Can Carry Jail Term
Under Section 67 of the Road Traffic Act, a person commits an offence if the influence of a drug, psychoactive substance, intoxicating substance or alcohol leaves them incapable of properly controlling a vehicle.
For a first conviction, the offence can attract a fine of between S$2,000 and S$10,000, up to 12 months’ jail, or both. Repeat offenders face heavier penalties.
These are the statutory penalties generally applicable to the offence. The 31-year-old in the Middle Road accident has only been arrested at this stage and has not been convicted.
