SINGAPORE - A motorist was changing lanes when he hit a motorcyclist in front of him, causing the machine to skid and the rider to fall onto the road, resulting in his death.

Rohaizat Rohmat, 45, was on Tuesday (Sept 26) jailed for three weeks and banned from driving for five years after he admitted causing the death of Mr Chow Heng Thong, 64, by doing a negligent act along Braddell Road at 2.39am on March 9, 2017.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Teo Siqi said on the day of the accident, Rohaizat was driving his car along the slip road from Central Expressway into Braddell Road (towards Lornie Road).

The slip road merges with the two lanes from Bartley Road.

The accident happened while Rohaizat was driving on the third lane of the four-lane Braddell Road. Mr Chow was then riding on the second lane, in front of him.

Rohaizat was switching from the third to the second lane - by crossing the double white lines between the lanes - when he failed to keep a proper lookout for Mr Chow and side-swiped the left side of his motorcycle, causing the rider to fall.

Mr Chow, who was semi-conscious after the accident, died from multiple injuries in hospital about 10 hours later.

In calling for at least three weeks' jail and five years disqualification, DPP Teo said there was nothing to obstruct Rohaizat's view of Mr Chow, who was not riding at a fast speed.

She also said that if Rohaizat had exercised proper caution, he would have noticed Mr Chow.

Pleading for leniency, Rohaizat said he was remorseful.

He said he is the sole breadwinner of the family and at the time, he was working as a cleaning supervisor during the day and an Uber driver at night. He now works as a part-time newspaper vendor.

Rohaizat, who had convictions for drink driving, driving without licence and insurance coverage, could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined for causing death by negligence.