SINGAPORE – A 59-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in jail and banned from driving for eight years after a reckless overtaking maneuver led to the death of a 35-year-old motorcyclist on the Pan Island Expressway (PIE). The incident highlights the increasing danger of speeding and improper lane changes on singapore’s roads.
Driver’s Speed and Illegal Overtake Caused Fatal Crash
Chua Eng Keong pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, resulting in the death of Muhammad Dzulhilmi Mohd Roslan.
- Speeding: Chua Eng Keong exceeded the 80 km/h speed limit, traveling over 106 km/h before the crash.
- Illegal Maneuver: He overtook a lorry on its left side, violating traffic regulations.
- Rising Fatalities: Singapore has seen an increase in fatal traffic accidents in recent years, notably those involving speeding.
The court heard that on Nov. 20, 2023, at approximately 8 a.m., Chua was driving along Anak Bukit Flyover on the PIE. He was in Lane 3 when he decided to overtake a lorry in Lane 2, despite a motorcycle being in Lane 1, the right-most lane. Chua accelerated and moved past the lorry on its left, then attempted to merge into Lane 2 without ensuring it was clear.
Concurrently, Muhammad Dzulhilmi Mohd Roslan, the motorcyclist, was changing lanes from Lane 1 to Lane 2. Chua’s car collided with the motorcycle as it fully entered Lane 2. the motorcyclist was thrown from the bike and slid along the road.
Paramedics transported Muhammad Dzulhilmi to the hospital unconscious, suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury and fractured ribs. He succumbed to his injuries the following day due to head and chest trauma.
Evidence Showed Excessive Speed and Reckless Driving
In-car camera footage revealed that Chua’s vehicle reached a speed of 106.3 km/h prior to the collision. The speed limit on that stretch of the expressway was 80 km/h. An accident reconstruction report further estimated Chua’s speed to be between 99 km/h and 110 km/h at the time of impact.
Investigations confirmed that the lorry Chua overtook had not signaled any intention to turn, and traffic conditions were not congested. This confirmed that Chua violated Rule 61 of the Highway Code by overtaking on the left. Chua later told police he didn’t see the motorcycle due to sun glare.
What is the penalty for driving without due care and attention causing death in Singapore? The offense carries a potential jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$10,000, and an eight-year driving ban.
The prosecution had requested a sentence of 21 to 23 months’ imprisonment and an eight-year driving disqualification.Deputy Public Prosecutor Daniel Foo emphasized the increasing prevalence of fatal road accidents, particularly those linked to speeding. He noted that there were 104 fatal traffic accidents in 2022, 131 in 2023, and 139 in 2024. Speeding-related fatal accidents rose from 18 in 2022 to approximately 30 in 2023 and 46 in 2024.
Mr.Foo argued that Chua’s actions were particularly egregious, given his speeding, improper lane change, and the presence of sun glare. He added that the video footage showed a pattern of weaving in and out of lanes,indicating a disregard for road safety.
On Monday, Chua was sentenced to 18 months’ jail and an eight-year driving ban.
