A 31-year-old car driver was arrested for drug-driving on Sept 12 following a collision involving his car, a power-assisted bicycle (PAB), and an SBS Transit bus along Middle Road toward Sophia Road in Rochor, according to the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Authorities and transit officials reported that the crash resulted in two hospitalizations, minor injuries for five other bus passengers, and the recovery of a vaporiser from the driver’s possession.
Details of the Rochor Accident and Immediate Aftermath
Emergency responders were alerted to the incident at about 6.45pm on Sept 12. According to SBS Transit spokeswoman Grace Wu, a Service 56 bus was rear-ended by the car while passengers were boarding and alighting at a bus stop on Middle Road. Footage shared on the Facebook group Complaint Singapore showed a black car crashed into the rear of the SBS Transit bus, with both the bus’s engine compartment and the car’s bonnet suffering severe damage. An SCDF van was also present at the scene, with the involved vehicles blocking the two leftmost lanes.
Officials conveyed that Raffles Hospital received both a 65-year-old female bus passenger and a 32-year-old male PAB rider in a conscious state. Five other bus passengers sustained minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital. Wu noted that the remaining passengers were transferred to another bus to continue their trips. The car driver also sustained minor injuries but refused to be taken to hospital. Following the crash, police arrested the 31-year-old driver for driving under the influence of drugs.
Did You Know? Between 2023 and 2025, there were 38 traffic accidents that involved drug or etomidate use, of which 19 led to death. Out of those fatal cases, 10 involved exclusively drugs, whereas nine featured etomidate, an anaesthetic utilised in Kpods e-vaporisers.
Vaporiser Offence and Legal Consequences
During the investigation, police found a vaporiser in the driver’s possession. This vaporiser-related offence has been referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Police investigations into the accident remain ongoing.
As outlined on the Singapore Police Force official website, motorists caught driving under the influence for the first time face a maximum one-year imprisonment, a fine reaching up to $10,000, or a combination of both penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles were involved in the Sept 12 accident in Rochor?
The accident involved a car, a power-assisted bicycle (PAB), and an SBS Transit Service 56 bus along Middle Road toward Sophia Road.
What injuries were reported from the collision?
A 32-year-old male PAB rider and a 65-year-old female bus passenger were transported to Raffles Hospital while remaining conscious. Five other bus passengers and the car driver sustained minor injuries but declined hospital transport.
What legal penalties does the driver face for drug-driving?
First-time offenders face up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Repeat offenders can face up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000, and offenders will also be subjected to disqualification from driving.
What measures do you think could be most effective in curbing drug-driving and illegal vaporiser use on local roads?
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