38-year-old Singaporean Sheikh Oli KH Rahman Shah was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment on 1 November, after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention under the Road Traffic Act, according to TODAY.
Sheikh failed to notice a stationary bus that had broken down on the Tampines Expressway. The consequences of his oversight were severe, resulting in a collision that left his van passenger with multiple fractures on both hands.
What happened?
The incident took place on June 12, 2020, on the leftmost lane of the Tampines Expressway towards the Seletar Expressway. The bus, which had broken down, was positioned in a vulnerable spot, causing considerable concern for the safety of the passengers and other road users. To mitigate the risk, the bus driver, Mr. Chellaiah Vinoth, took proactive measures by placing a breakdown sign about three car lengths behind the bus and switching on the hazard lights.
Broke both hands
The collision had serious repercussions, primarily for Mr. Saifullah, who was Sheikh’s van passenger. Mr. Saifullah suffered from multiple fractures in both his hands due to the impact of the collision. The severity of his injuries was substantial, requiring him to be on a total of 65 days’ hospitalization leave from June 13 to August 16, 2020.
A medical report dated March 8 this year revealed that while Mr. Saifullah’s fractures had healed well, his left wrist showed a slight decrease in the range of motion, indicating a 2 percent permanent impairment.
Punishment
The law does not take incidents of this nature lightly. Sheikh Oli KH Rahman Shah faced legal consequences for his actions, which included driving without due care and attention under the Road Traffic Act. As a result, he was sentenced to six weeks in jail and disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licenses for five years.
Sheikha also made full compensation to Mr. Saifullah for all the medical bills incurred as a result of the accident. This gesture highlights the importance of acknowledging one’s actions and taking steps to rectify the situation.
The incident’s severity was evident from the damage caused to Sheikh’s van due to the impact of the collision. Video footage revealed that Sheikh was driving at considerable speed at the time of the accident. However, the specific speed was not mentioned in the court documents.