Updated: 01/15/2014 19:32 | By Channel NewsAsia
Driving ban for man who reversed car onto walkway, injuring 4
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SINGAPORE: A driver who reversed his Mercedes Benz onto a walkway and injured four people was on Wednesday fined S$7,000 and disqualified from driving for two years.
The incident happened at Yishun Avenue 5, near Chong Pang market, in August 2012.
Lim Swee Huat, who runs a family business, had failed to ensure that his car was in "drive" gear and had stepped on the accelerator when it was in "reverse" mode.
This happened as the 66-year-old was trying to drive out of a parking lot.
The Subordinate Courts heard that as the car's rear wheels mounted the kerb, Lim panicked and stepped on the accelerator instead of the brakes.
The car mounted the walkway and Lim continued to drive in an erratic manner for about 20 to 30 metres, hitting some pedestrians, before he was able to bring it to a stop.
Two people suffered serious fractures, while two others suffered minor injuries.
Pressing for Lim to be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months, Deputy Public Prosecutor Navin Naidu said the number of victims involved was "staggering", and that Lim's actions had caused panic and alarm.
He added that a stiff sentence would be a strong deterrent for errant drivers and ensure they exercise care when manouevring vehicles.
In mitigation, Lim's lawyer said that her client was remorseful about what had happened and regretted the incident.
For causing grievous hurt through a negligent act, Lim could have been jailed up to two years and fined S$5,000.
For causing hurt through a negligent act, he could have been jailed six months and fined S$2,500. - CNA/xq
