SINGAPORE — A 42-year-old car driver will be charged in court on Thursday (Apr 25) with four offences over his involvement in Monday’s multi-vehicle accident in Tampines that killed two people.
The offences under the Road Traffic Act include dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing hurt, the police said late on Wednesday.
He will also be charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident.
Police investigations are ongoing for other potential offences.
The offence of dangerous driving causing death carries a jail term of between two and eight years, as well as disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
The offence of dangerous driving causing hurt carries a fine of up to S$10,000, or jail for up to two years, or both, as well as disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
Those found guilty of dangerous driving face a fine of up to S$5,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
The offence of failing to stop after an accident carries a fine of up to S$1,000, or an imprisonment term of up three months, or both for each of the offences.
LICENCE SUSPENDED
The accident, which happened at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Avenue 4 on Monday morning, involved four cars, a van and a minibus.
CNA understands that the 42-year-old was driving the black Saab that was caught on dashcam footage speeding and sideswiping a white car before a junction.
Moments later, multiple vehicles are seen damaged at the junction, with a black car overturned.
In an earlier statement in response to media queries, the police said the man was arrested after he was discharged from hospital on Wednesday. His driving licence was also suspended with immediate effect.
A 17-year-old student at Temasek Junior College and a 57-year-old woman were killed. Six others were taken to hospital, including the driver.
Those injured included the father of the 17-year-old Temasek JC victim, a 64-year-old van driver, an 11-year-old car passenger and an 11-year-old minibus passenger.
According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), a person was found with one leg trapped under the wheel of a car. Officers had to use hydraulic rescue equipment to free the person’s leg.
PUBLIC CONCERN
Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee that oversees transport, Saktiandi Supaat said on Wednesday evening that he has raised several parliamentary questions to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Among them is whether the authorities will consider stricter enforcement measures or legislative changes to “ensure greater accountability” and discourage dangerous driving.
Parliament will next sit on May 7.
This follows public concern about road safety and penalties under the Road Traffic Act in light of several recent multi-vehicle accidents.
“There have been a number of multi-vehicle accidents lately but the recent cases in Tampines and on the PIE (Pan Island Expressway) on Apr 22 have deeply affected those involved and the wider Singaporean community.”
Six people were taken to hospital after an accident along the PIE involving six cars and a taxi. Among the injured was a seven-year-old.
“I strongly believe that meaningful changes must be made to minimise such accidents, whether through revisiting and enhancing current mitigating measures or implementing stricter enforcement to deter dangerous behavior and protect law-abiding motorists and pedestrians alike,” he wrote. CNA
For more stories like this, visit cna.asia.
