Two separate incidents involving cars travelling against the flow of traffic have put Singapore’s crackdown on drug-impaired driving back in the spotlight.
Two men, aged 20 and 35, are due to appear in court on September 3, 2026, after police said they were allegedly involved in separate cases of dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs. Health Sciences Authority (HSA) testing later detected etomidate in both men’s blood samples.
Neither incident resulted in reported injuries, but police said the driving behaviour created potentially serious risks for other motorists.
20-Year-Old Allegedly Crossed Centre Divider
The first incident happened on October 28, 2025, along Jurong West Street 91, at around 8.40pm.
According to police, the 20-year-old driver initially failed to move when the traffic light turned green. A bus then overtook him from the right.
Police said the man subsequently overtook the bus from the left and stopped his car before driving across the centre-divider kerb onto the opposite side of the road.
He then allegedly drove against the flow of traffic, colliding with the rear of another car and a van. His vehicle later mounted the centre-divider kerb again before coming to a stop.
Officers at the scene reportedly observed the man to be unstable and disoriented.
A vaporiser was found and seized from his car, while subsequent HSA analysis detected etomidate in his blood.
Second Driver Allegedly Drove Into Oncoming Traffic
The second case occurred on November 26, 2025, at around 8.40pm.
Police said the 35-year-old driver was travelling along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1 before turning into Choa Chu Kang Way.
He allegedly then drove against the flow of traffic before turning into a petrol station.
Other road users had to slow down to avoid a possible collision, according to police.
The driver was reportedly disoriented and intoxicated when officers encountered him. A vaporiser was also found in his vehicle, and HSA subsequently detected etomidate in his blood sample.
Both Men Face Two Charges Each
The two men are each expected to face charges for:
- Driving under the influence of drugs under Section 67(1)(a) of Singapore’s Road Traffic Act 1961
- Dangerous driving under Section 64 of the Act
Importantly, being charged does not mean either man has been convicted. The allegations will be dealt with by the courts.
For driving under the influence of drugs, a first conviction can carry a fine of S$2,000 to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles may also apply.
The dangerous-driving provision cited by police can also carry financial penalties and imprisonment, with additional consequences for serious offenders, including possible driving disqualification.
Why Etomidate Is Under the Spotlight
Etomidate is a medical anaesthetic, but its misuse through vaporisers has become a growing public-safety concern in Singapore.
The substance and its analogues were classified as Class C controlled drugs in Singapore from September 1, 2025, following concerns over misuse.
Singapore has since seen several drug-driving cases involving etomidate. In March 2026, a motorist became the first person convicted in Singapore of a traffic offence involving etomidate and was sentenced to five years and 18 months’ imprisonment and 10 strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to multiple offences.
In another case, a man was sentenced to 15 months’ jail after admitting that he had consumed etomidate before driving and subsequently getting into a crash.
The issue has also become particularly serious because some drug-impaired driving incidents have involved crashes and fatalities. Police previously said that between 2023 and 2025, 38 traffic accidents were linked to drug and etomidate use, with 19 fatalities.
Police Warn Drivers About Impairment
The Singapore Police Force said driving under the influence of any substance that impairs the ability to drive safely is extremely dangerous and puts other road users at grave risk.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that enforcement is not limited to traditional illegal drugs, but also extends to psychoactive, intoxicating and other substances that can impair driving ability.
The latest cases are therefore significant not only because both drivers allegedly travelled against traffic, but because they highlight the potentially dangerous intersection between etomidate misuse and road safety.
Accuracy Note
The two men are accused and scheduled to be charged, not convicted. The details of their alleged driving behaviour come from the Singapore Police Force, while the presence of etomidate was established through subsequent HSA blood analysis. No injuries were reported in either incident.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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