The Singapore District Court recently considered the appropriate sentence for a driver convicted of careless driving causing grievous hurt where multiple drugs were detected in his bloodstream. While the Prosecution argued that the drugs and manner of driving justified higher culpability, the Defence argued that the substances had been consumed for legitimate medical purposes and that the driver’s momentary inattention should not be treated as a separate aggravating factor.
The Court held that although driving while affected by multiple drugs remained a significant aggravating factor, it would be wrong to double-count conduct already inherent in the careless driving offence. The offence was therefore assessed within Band 1 of the sentencing framework established in Chen Song v Public Prosecutor [2024] SGHC 129, albeit towards the higher end.
The accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and a five-year driving disqualification.
Mr Mark Hoh from Hoh Law Corporation represented the accused in this case.
Read the full judgment here.
