A doctor's haunting experience: Witnessing the preventable death of a drink-driving victim.
In Singapore, a tragic story unfolded in an emergency room, leaving a profound impact on those involved. Adjunct Assistant Professor Raj Menon, an ER doctor, found himself grappling with the loss of a patient who succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a drink-driving accident.
The victim, a man in his 40s, was rushed to the National University Hospital in 2020, with critical injuries to his limbs and abdomen. He was struck by an intoxicated driver while riding his motorcycle home. Despite the tireless efforts of Prof. Menon and his team, the man's fate was sealed due to excessive bleeding.
But here's where it gets personal... Prof. Menon vividly recalls the shock and grief on the motorcyclist's family's faces when they received the devastating news. This moment sparked a powerful realization: "Drink-driving fatalities are unnecessary deaths. All it takes is a little compassion for others on the road, as the impact on victims can be profoundly traumatic." This statement hits hard, highlighting the preventable nature of such tragedies.
The festive season, a time of joy, sees a surge in drink-driving cases and subsequent trauma unit admissions. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann revealed a concerning trend in 2025, with a rise in both drink-driving arrests and accidents resulting in injuries. From January to June 2025, there were 3,740 traffic accidents causing injuries, a stark increase from the previous year.
Prof. Menon, leading the NUH trauma center, has witnessed a growing number of road traffic accident victims from 2020 to 2024. The statistics are alarming: 211 patients in 2020, rising to 311 in 2024, with most being motorcycle riders, cyclists, and pedestrians aged 25 to 44. Among them was an auxiliary police officer, left in a vegetative state after a drunk driver crashed into him in March 2023. The driver, Yoong Kok Kai, had almost double the legal alcohol limit and was speeding. Yoong's sentence was increased to five years after an appeal, emphasizing the severity of the crime.
Prof. Menon's experience goes beyond physical injuries. He has witnessed the psychological distress suffered by patients, including Priscilla, who underwent 22 operations after being thrown from her friend's car in 2023. The friend had been drinking heavily, and Priscilla's injuries were extensive, including multiple fractures and road burns. She also experienced post-traumatic stress, freezing at the sight of similar cars and suffering nightmares.
Dr. Jonathan Chan, from Singapore General Hospital's emergency department, shares a similar sentiment. He feels frustrated by the preventable nature of drink-driving cases. One case that haunts him involved a victim with severe head injuries, whose life they fought to save for over an hour. Despite their efforts, the patient died, leaving the team to deliver the heartbreaking news to the family.
Prof. Menon emphasizes that alcohol's effects go beyond physical impairment. It can lead to disinhibition, encouraging risky behavior like running red lights. This is true for both heavy and light drinkers. Dr. Chan's advice is straightforward: "Don't drink and drive." He urges people to consider the far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the victims but also their loved ones. The loss and grief experienced by families are the true cost of drink-driving.
But is it enough to simply say 'don't drink and drive'? Are there underlying societal issues that contribute to this problem? Share your thoughts on how we can collectively address this preventable tragedy.
