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Date Masamune
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Jan 28, 2011
Teen first to have licence suspended under new rules
By Lai Han-Wei
After the Act was amended in Nov 2010, driving licences can now be immediately suspended for causing serious injury or death to a person, or serious damage to buildings and structures, as soon as police investigations commence. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
A 19-YEAR-OLD male driver who caused the death of a pedestrian will have the dubious honour of being the first to have his licence immediately suspended under the new Road Traffic Act.
Previously, a motorist's driving licence could only be suspended after they were formally charged in court for serious offences such as drink-driving, reckless or dangerous driving, where death or serious injury had been caused.
But after the Act was amended in Nov 2010, driving licences can now be immediately suspended for causing serious injury or death to a person, or serious damage to buildings and structures, as soon as police investigations commence.
Such suspensions will remain in force until the case is tried and determined in court.
Commander of Traffic Police and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cheang Keng Keong, said: 'It is after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case that we have decided to impose an immediate suspension on the driver.
'It is in the interest of public safety that such motorists are taken off the roads to prevent further accidents until court proceedings are completed.'
