Meng Xianglei jailed, fined S$7,000, and disqualified after driving intoxicated through Singapore
A night of heavy drinking ended in disaster for a Singaporean man who crashed into a stationary police car in Orchard after consuming 10 glasses of beer.
Night of Drinking Ends in Jail
On April 5, 2024, 39-year-old Meng Xianglei met friends at a restaurant in Jurong Trade Hub around 10 p.m., where he consumed five glasses of beer. The group later drove to a pub in Geylang — over 20km away — where Meng drank five more beers. Despite being clearly intoxicated, he got behind the wheel again and attempted to drive home to Ang Mo Kio.
Collision With Stationary Police Car
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on April 6, while passing Somerset Road towards Grange Road, Meng failed to notice a stationary police vehicle with hazard lights activated. The car was parked while officers attended to a separate urgent matter. Meng lost control and collided into the police vehicle, damaging its left rear side.
Alcohol Level Far Exceeded Legal Limit
Following the crash, police administered a breathalyser test. Meng’s reading was 86 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35 mcg. The repair cost for the damaged police vehicle totaled over S$2,300, which Meng has since repaid in full.
Court Sentencing and Penalties
Meng pleaded guilty on August 5, 2025, to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one count of driving without due care. The court sentenced him to three weeks in jail, a S$7,000 fine, and a three-year disqualification from all driving licences.
According to Singapore law, driving under the influence may result in:
- A fine between S$2,000 to S$10,000
- Up to 12 months’ jail, or both
- Repeat offenders face up to S$20,000 in fines and two years in jail
For driving without due care, penalties include up to S$1,500 in fines or six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Series of Reckless Decisions
Deputy Public Prosecutor Timothy Ong highlighted the severity of Meng’s actions, stating: “This is a driver who deliberately consumed alcohol in two different places and drove home. This is not a one-time decision. This was a series of decisions made over a period of time.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drunk driving, particularly in urban centres like Singapore. For Indonesians who frequently travel to Singapore, and Singaporeans alike, the legal consequences of such actions are severe and uncompromising. Public safety on the roads remains a shared responsibility — and even one reckless decision can have costly legal and societal repercussions.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Meng Xianglei, Drink Driving, Somerset Road, Police Car Crash, Singapore Traffic Law
