SINGAPORE - A man braked abruptly three times in front of a taxi - apparently because he wanted to demonstrate to a cabby the way he had allegedly been driving.

For committing a rash act to endanger life, Mohamed Dzamrin Ahmad, 53, a crane operator, was fined $1,000 and banned from driving all classes of vehicles for three months on Wednesday (Jan 31).

Dzamrin admitted to driving in a rash manner by abruptly changing from the left lane to the centre lane of Sembawang Road, without any prior signal. This brought him into the path of Mr Tan Heng Kiat, 54. Dzamrin also admitted braking abruptly three times without any reason at 7.23pm on May 9, 2016.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wee Hao said that Dzamrin was driving behind Mr Tan's taxi that evening when a taxi in front of Mr Tan braked abruptly. This forced Mr Tan - and, in turn, Dzamrin - to brake as well. Dzamrin also braked.

Fearing that Dzamrin had hit the back of his taxi, Mr Tan stopped to to check. Dzamrin wound down his window and reprimanded Mr Tan for not driving properly.

After Mr Tan drove off, Dzamrin moved into the left lane and then sped to overtake Mr Tan.

When he had inched slightly ahead of the cabby, Dzamrin abruptly cut into the middle lane in front of Mr Tan and applied his brakes three times in quick succession.

DPP Tan said there was no need for Dzamrin to apply brakes in that manner as there had been no other vehicle close to his car,

Mr Tan also had to brake to avoid hitting Dzamrin's car.

Dzamrin admitted that he had acted in that fashion to demonstrate to Mr Tan how he had allegedly been driving.

In imposing the fine and the disqualification period, District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan said: "I must emphasise that such behaviour on our roads is not tolerated.''

He agreed with the DPP that the kind of behaviour Dzamrin displayed could cause irreversible harm given the traffic condition, notwithstanding his low speed.

Dzamrin, who has had eight composition fines, mostly for speeding, could have been jailed for up to 12 months and/or fined up to $5,000 for committing the rash act.