SINGAPORE - A limousine taxi driver who caused the death of a woman at a pedestrian crossing through his negligence was jailed for six weeks and banned from driving for four years on Wednesday (June 28).

Tan Boon Giap, 55, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Madam Chow Boey Loy, 69, at the signalised junction of Clementi Avenue 4 and Commonwealth Avenue West at about 6.30am on Oct 23 last year (2016).

His failure to keep a proper lookout resulted in him hitting the housewife. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that Tan was driving a white Mercedes-Benz cab on the rightmost lane of the three-lane Commonwealth Avenue West that morning.

He was travelling at an average speed of between 67kmh and 72kmh, over the 60kmh speed limit, while driving across the cross junction of Clementi Avenue 4 and Commonwealth Avenue West on a "green" light signal.

He failed to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians and hit Madam Chow, who had been crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing.

She had crossed on a "red" man signal, and was pushing a trolley when she was struck. She had cleared two of the three lanes at the time.

Tan did not see her and as a result, did not take any evasive action.

As a result of the impact, Madam Chow was flung upwards and landed in the middle lane, some 10m away from the pedestrian crossing.

Pleading for leniency, Tan, who was unrepresented, said that he had been deeply affected by the accident.

In sentencing him, District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam said Tan's speeding and inattention on the road resulted in the collision which led to the woman's death.

She said the prosecution's submission for a term of six week's imprisonment was justified on the facts of the case.

Tan could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death by doing a negligent act.

A second charge of speeding was taken into consideration in sentencing.