SINGAPORE - Despite a clear sign that vehicles were not allowed to turn right at the exit onto a road, a rubbish truck driver still made the turn as he wanted to go on a shorter route.

Chinese national Han Shiai's truck was within the centre lane of Tuas South Avenue 3 when a motorcyclist was forced to swerve into the extreme right lane.

The rider, Mr Ng Zhi Xuan, 21, skidded and hit a stop sign at the centre divider. He suffered serious injuries and was warded for about a month for, among others, fractures to his leg and pubic bone.

The court heard that there was no contact between the rubbish truck and the motorcycle on Sept 28, 2015.

Han, 49, employed by Eco Special Waste Management, was driving the rubbish truck out from the trash incinerator compound that evening when he attempted the right turn onto Tuas South Avenue 3 at a non-signalised cross junction.

Mr Ng was then travelling along the centre lane of the three-lane road from Han's right when he swerved and skidded towards the centre divider, hitting the stop sign. He was taken unconscious to National University Hospital.

Han's lawyer Sham Chee Keat said in mitigation that his client, who had been driving for 30 years, was travelling at less than 20kmh.

Han, he said, stopped in time and gave way to the oncoming motorcyclist who then skidded.

Mr Sham said that his client did not commit any traffic violation as the no-right-turn directional sign was not a public sign.

On Thursday (May 18), Han was jailed for five weeks and banned from driving for six months after admitting to causing grievous hurt to Mr Ng by doing an act rashly to endanger life.

He could have been jailed for up to four years and/or fined up to $10,000.