42-year-old SBS bus captain Shifuddin, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment as well as a 5-year driving ban after falling asleep while driving his bus, according to Shin Min Daily News.
He then crashed into a bus stop, resulting in 3 passengers being injured, with one of the victims suffering a broken arm and a strained back.
Slept for 4 hours before work shift
On the day before the accident, Shifuddin returned home at about 10pm on 7 June 2021, hours before the start of his next shift.
He couldn’t sleep and only managed to fall asleep at about 11.30pm, before waking up at 3.30am for work, about 4 hours later.
He then started his shift on 8 June at about 5.30am, and fell asleep while driving along his bus route near Yishun Street 31, at about 2.47pm.
Closed his eyes for 3 seconds
According to dashcam footage inside the bus, he had closed his eyes for about 3 seconds upon approaching a stop near Yishun Street 31, but it was enough for him to lose control of the bus and crashed into a bollard at a bus stop.
Three passengers on board his bus suffered injuries from the crash, with one of them suffering a broken arm and a strained back.
Another victim, a 53-year-old woman, sustained fractures to her face after colliding with a seat that was in front of her.
The third victim suffered cuts to his lips, but chose not to be conveyed to the hospital in an ambulance, instead choosing to seek treatment at a clinic.
Resigned from SBS
A spokesperson for SBS Transit, said that they have an automated shift arrangement system, making sure that their drivers have at least 9 hours of rest.
They also added that they remind their bus captains to take enough breaks so that they can concentrate on driving.
Shifuddin has also resigned from his position as a bus captain with SBS Transit, after two years with the company.