Teen faces 18 charges over alleged 174kmh police chase, six crashes and underage driving offences

SINGAPORE: A teenager accused of driving multiple vehicles while underage, uninsured and using false licence plates was handed 18 charges on Thursday following a series of traffic-related incidents that culminated in a high-speed police chase across eastern Singapore.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified under the Children and Young Persons Act because he was under 18 at the time of the alleged offences, appeared in court on 28 May 2026.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the teenager was allegedly involved in three separate incidents between January 2025 and January 2026.

The most serious incident occurred on 16 January 2026, when Traffic Police officers attempted to stop a car travelling along Paya Lebar Road towards Upper Paya Lebar Road at about 10.50pm.

Police said the driver sped away upon seeing officers, triggering a pursuit through several eastern Singapore roads.

High-speed pursuit across eastern Singapore

Investigations revealed the teenager allegedly drove at speeds of up to 174kmh on the East Coast Parkway, where the speed limit was 90kmh.

Along Guillemard Road, police said he allegedly reached 96kmh despite the road carrying a 40kmh speed limit.

The police statement said the teenager also ran multiple red traffic lights and drove against the flow of traffic along several roads, including Ubi Avenue 2 and Lorong 28 Geylang.

During the pursuit, the car allegedly collided with five stationary vehicles along Paya Lebar Road and Guillemard Road.

The pursuit ended after the vehicle crashed into a sixth stationary car at the signalised junction of Marine Parade Road and Still Road South.

Police said the driver of the sixth vehicle and his 15-year-old passenger sustained injuries in the collision.

The teenager allegedly fled the scene on foot after the crash but was subsequently arrested by Traffic Police officers.

Investigators later discovered the vehicle involved was a deregistered car bearing a false number plate.

A vaporiser and pod were also recovered from the vehicle after the arrest.

The Health Sciences Authority investigated the matter but police said no further action was taken because there was insufficient evidence.

Ten charges linked to January chase

For the 16 January incident alone, the teenager faces 10 charges under the Road Traffic Act and Penal Code.

These include dangerous driving causing hurt, driving while underage, using a vehicle without insurance coverage and using a deregistered vehicle.

He was also charged with using a vehicle without a vehicle licence and exhibiting a false licence plate.

Police further accused him of failing to stop after an accident on six occasions and failing to render assistance after the collisions.

Additional charges include failing to stop when ordered by a police officer and furnishing false information under the Penal Code.

Court documents showed the teenager indicated he intends to plead guilty. The case was adjourned to July for his plea.

Separate incidents investigated

Police said the teenager had previously been linked to two earlier traffic-related incidents before the January 2026 pursuit.

The first incident allegedly took place on 30 January 2025, when the teenager was 16 years old.

According to investigators, he took his grandmother’s car without her knowledge after finding the ignition key inside the unlocked vehicle.

Police said he drove the vehicle for about one hour before returning it.

His grandmother later contacted police after discovering the vehicle missing. Officers subsequently located the car nearby.

The second incident occurred on 8 January 2026 at about 11.45am.

Police officers conducting checks at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre car park allegedly discovered the teenager had driven a deregistered vehicle with a false number plate from Haig Road to Marina Bay Sands.

Investigators said this vehicle was different from the car involved in the subsequent 16 January pursuit.

For the earlier incidents, the teenager faces further charges including driving while underage, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and using a vehicle without insurance coverage.

He was additionally charged with using a deregistered vehicle, operating a vehicle without a valid vehicle licence and exhibiting a false licence plate.

Potential penalties

Among the offences, the most serious is dangerous driving causing hurt under the Road Traffic Act.

If convicted, the teenager could face a fine of up to S$10,000 (US$7,834), a jail term of up to two years, or both.

The offence of driving while underage carries a maximum penalty of S$1,000, up to three months’ imprisonment, or both.

Repeat offenders may face harsher penalties, including fines of up to S$2,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.

Police said failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance each carry penalties of up to S$3,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

Using a deregistered vehicle carries one of the heaviest penalties among the charges, with offenders facing fines of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Exhibiting a false licence plate is punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

Those convicted of driving without insurance coverage may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

In its statement issued on 27 May 2026, the Singapore Police Force said motorists who drive deregistered vehicles or commit serious traffic offences without valid licences would be “dealt with firmly”.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and public cooperation is essential in keeping Singapore’s roads safe for all users,” the statement said.

Police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected unlawful driving activity within the community.