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Jail, ban for man who drove against traffic
Khushwant Singh Thu, Mar 06, 2008 The Straits Times
A DRIVER who barrelled into oncoming traffic and smashed into two cars, causing one to burst into flames, has been jailed for 1 1/2 years. The stiff sentence is a warning to the growing legion of reckless motorists on Singapore's streets, said the district judge who handed down the decision on Monday. Citing a dramatic rise in traffic summonses and casualties, Judge Salina Ishak said dangerous drivers now face 'strict sentencing', including the possibility of jail time. Previously, such offenders would usually be fined between $1,000 and $3,000. The judge came down hard on Tan Ser Tong, 55, jailing him for 18 months and banning him from driving for three years for the crash in 2006.

He continued to drive against the flow of traffic and smashed head-on into another car.

Only then did Tan stop. He got out of his car but did not help a motorist who had been hurt in the second crash.

Tan's car and the second vehicle burst into flames soon after.

The judge said: 'In my mind, it was only fortuitous that the injuries suffered by those involved were not fatal.'

Tan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to render aid to someone he had injured. A third charge of driving under the influence of drugs was considered by the judge when deciding on the sentence.

The contractor had five previous traffic-related convictions, including drink driving.

Tan's lawyer, Mr Kelvin Lim, said his client is shocked by the sentence and is considering an appeal.

On the same day, the judge also jailed motorcyclist Edmond Lee Shi Leong, 28, for three weeks for beating a red light.

In the accident that followed, the unemployed Lee and his pillion rider were hurt. In addition to the three- week jail term, he was banned from driving all vehicles for a year. Lee's lawyer, Mr M. Nedumaran, said that his client has appealed against the conviction and sentence.

In sentencing Lee, the judge quoted The Straits Times, which reported that over 24,000 summonses were issued against drivers beating the red light last year - an 86 per cent increase from 2006.

Last year also saw a 14 per cent increase in the overall number of driving offences. They rose to about 150,400 from about 132,000 in 2006.

The offences included speeding, beating red lights, careless driving, inconsiderate driving, and reckless and dangerous driving.

Road accidents left 10,561 people dead or injured last year - 665 more than in 2006.

khush@sph.com.sg