Trailer driver whose crane boom struck overhead MRT track fined and banned from driving
Despite the vehicle almost toppling on its side, the offender continued driving and did not stop.
The crane boom struck the underside of the train track structure as depicted in court documents.
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SINGAPORE: A trailer driver forgot to retract his crane boom when going under an overhead MRT track and struck the structure, leaving scratches that cost S$8,700 (US$6,490) to assess and repair.
The driver, 72-year-old Singaporean Goh Chin Peng, was fined S$3,800 and banned from driving for a year on Tuesday (Jan 23).
He pleaded guilty to one charge each of driving a heavy motor trailer without reasonable consideration for other road users and failing to stop after the accident.
A third charge for driving a motor trailer that was more than 4.5m high without a police escort was considered in sentencing.
The court heard that Goh was a driver with Hong Fa Logistics and Engineering, which rents out lifting equipment.
At about 5.30pm on Mar 18 last year, Goh drove the company's motor trailer with a retractable crane boom along Corporation Road towards Bulim Avenue. He forgot to retract the boom before setting off.
The vehicle was a goods vehicle with an unladen weight of more than 2,500kg.
When Goh came to the signalised cross junction of Boon Lay Way, he approached an overhead train track that measured 5.52m from the ground.
He forgot to lower the crane boom and drove across the junction.
In a video posted on SG Road Vigilante's Facebook page, a motorcyclist could be seen at the right of the trailer as the trailer went past, striking the underside of the train track and shuddering to the right.
However, the trailer did not stop and instead continued moving despite dust and debris falling to the road.
The motorcyclist appeared startled and jolted towards the right after seeing the impact.
According to court documents, the collision between the crane arm and the train structure almost toppled the trailer on its right.
At the time, there were at least three vehicles on the right of the trailer - a motorcycle, a car and a bus.
The police were informed of the accident the next day based on the footage posted by an unknown rider on SG Road Vigilante.
The collision left scratches on the underside of the overhead structure, with the estimated cost of repairs and engaging the assessment of an external professional engineer coming to S$8,700.
However, there was no delay caused to MRT operations, said the prosecutor.
Goh reported the incident to traffic police only five hours later.
He also contacted his company after the incident and the retractable boom arm was sawn off for safety concerns.
Goh also sought treatment at a private clinic for a minor cut and swelling on his nose as a result of the incident.
The prosecutor sought a fine between S$3,000 and S$4,000 and 12 months' disqualification from driving Class 4, Class 4A and Class 5 vehicles.
Goh paid the fine in full.
Goh has one past traffic violation for careless driving in 1977.
