Taxi driver gets 3 weeks' jail, 5 years' driving ban for causing motorcyclist's death along PIE

Goh Ai Chan, 60, failed to keep a proper lookout ahead while travelling straight along the second lane from the right. His taxi ended up hitting the back of the victim's motorcycle and two other cars. PHOTO: ST GRAPHICS

SINGAPORE - A taxi driver has been jailed for three weeks and banned from driving for five years for causing the death of a motorcyclist in a chain collision along an expressway.

Goh Ai Chan, 60, admitted on Monday (Oct 17) to causing the death of the motorcyclist, Mr Subramaniam Vijay Kumar, 49, due to a negligent act along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Dec 30, 2015. He failed to keep a proper lookout ahead while travelling straight along the second lane from the right, thus resulting in his taxi hitting the back of the victim's motorcycle and two other cars.

Mr Subramaniam was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that Goh was driving a CityCab that morning behind the two cars and the motorcycle at the second lane of the PIE towards Tuas.

The two cars slowed down and eventually came to a stop due to heavy traffic ahead. Mr Subramaniam also slowed down and stopped behind one of the cars.

Goh failed to keep a proper lookout ahead and did not slow down or stop. His taxi continued to travel straight ahead and hit the back of the motorcycle.

Due to the impact, both the motorcycle and taxi surged forward and collided into the two cars.

Goh then drove forward before coming to a stop along the extreme right lane. Mr Subramaniam and his bike fell along the second lane. He died from a severe head injury.

The maximum penalty for causing death by doing a negligent act is two years' jail and a fine.

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