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Lower alcohol limits, jail for first-time drink-driving proposed
The Straits Times
|July 08, 2026
Bill to also make it an offence to drive after taking intoxicating substances or controlled drugs
The alcohol limit for drivers will be lowered by more than half to deter drink-driving, under legislation proposed on July 7.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also plans to recommend jail time for even first-time drink-driving offenders, if they have very high blood alcohol levels.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann on July 7 introduced the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, which will reduce the current alcohol limit of 35 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per 100ml of breath to 15mcg.
No one accidentally drinks and drives, said MHA, noting that offenders deliberately choose to do so, putting themselves and others in danger.
Blood alcohol limits, which are currently 80 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100ml, will be lowered to 30mg.
The ministry cautioned that there is no "safe" number of alcohol drinks before driving, with the effect of alcohol on a person varying based on factors such as gender, age, health and body composition.
The reduced alcohol limits were first announced by Sim during the debate on MHA's budget in February.
MHA will also be working with the Sentencing Advisory Panel to come up with guidelines to recommend jail for first-time offenders with very high blood alcohol levels.
This story is from the July 08, 2026 edition of The Straits Times.
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