A taxi driver was fined $5,000 and banned from driving for five years on Monday for negligently causing the death of a motorcyclist at a signalised cross-junction.

Chan Kok Wah, 52, who pleaded guilty, was driving along Gambas Avenue on Aug 15 last year when he stopped at a junction and waited for the first vehicle to make a right turn into Woodlands Avenue 12.

While negotiating the right turn, Chan failed to give way to motorcyclist Choo Ah Kow, 56, who was approaching from the opposite direction. Upon impact, Mr Choo was flung across the front bonnet and fell onto the road. He died in hospital five days later of severe head injuries.

Chan's lawyer Johnny Seah said in mitigation that it was wholly uncharacteristic of his client. It was bad judgment with unintended consequences, he said.

Chan, who stopped driving after the accident when his licence was suspended, now works as a security guard.

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