A driver who was driving towards Ang Mo Kio via Bartley Road East, drove over a loose drain cover on the right side of the road, resulting in significant damage to his vehicle.
The car sustained deep scratches that looked like it was scratched by “Godzilla”, according to the driver, Mr Kevin Ng.
In light of the substantial repair costs, he is now seeking compensation from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the damage caused by road debris.
31-year-old Ng shared that he was travelling with his wife on the morning of May 22nd. They were on their usual route along Bartley Road East towards Braddell when the incident occurred. Due to the rain, visibility was limited, and he unexpectedly went over a misplaced drain cover.
He recounted, “It was raining that day, and my visibility was poor. Suddenly, I heard a loud impact and felt as if I had driven over a speed bump at high speed.”
It was only upon reaching their destination that Mr Ng noticed two large gashes on his car doors. He likened the damage to scratches caused by the fictional creature Godzilla.
Fortunately, no accident occurred as a result of the incident, and Mr Ng expressed relief. However, he raised concerns about the potential dangers.
He questioned, “Had the drain cover become lodged between the wheels and caused my car to flip, resulting in a major accident, lives could have been lost. What if the debris had hit another vehicle carrying young children or passengers?”
Currently, Mr. Ng’s car is being repaired at an NTUC Income-authorized workshop. Technicians have identified additional damage, including a compromised undercarriage and coolant leakage, in addition to the gashes on the door panels.
Disheartened, Mr Ng shared, “They informed me that the gashes can be fixed, but the car won’t look the same as it did originally.”
As a salesperson, Mr Ng heavily relies on his vehicle for work purposes. Furthermore, without a car, he faces difficulties in transporting his family during weekends.
Believing that he was driving within the speed limit, he is adamant that the LTA should compensate him for the incurred damages. To present his case, he has written letters to both the authority and the Ministry of Transport.
In response to inquiries from MS News, the LTA has stated that it is currently investigating Mr Ng’s claims.