SINGAPORE - A lorry driver was jailed for one week and banned from driving for a year on Thursday (Aug 20) for causing grievous hurt to a construction worker doing roadworks.
Low Kim Swee, 60, had pleaded guilty to hurting Mr Murthy Anandh, 31, along Seletar West Link on May 7 last year.
He failed to exercise care when overtaking a roadwork area, causing the lorry to hit some pylons that were used to barricade the roadworks area. The victim suffered fractures and cuts.
The court heard that Mr Anandh and two others were changing a damaged manhole cover. The lane they were working on was barricaded and there were also signs and cones nearby to warn motorists.
Low was driving along the road at 11.34am that day when he saw the road works about two lorry-lengths away.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicholas Wuan said Low "overtook" the roadworks by going against the flow of traffic.
The victim was standing with his back facing the traffic within the barricaded area.
Mr Anandh was flung about 6 to 7m upon impact. The lorry stopped only about 10m away, after hitting some more safety cones and barriers.
The victim was warded for 38 days and given a total of 68 days hospitalisation leave.
Low, who had a number of composition fines for speeding and inconsiderate driving, could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.
