A 32-year-old Traffic Police officer, Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff, was sentenced to seven months’ in jail on September 9, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of a 58-year-old pedestrian through reckless driving.
The tragic incident occurred in June 2024 when Firdaus, riding at an alarming speed, struck pedestrian Mr. Tan Leng Hing.
As per the report, Firdaus, who joined the Traffic Police in 2020 and holds the rank of Sergeant (3), was on duty when the accident took place. Having started his shift around 1 p.m. on June 21, he was responding to a non-emergency incident in Sengkang at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The incident, which occurred at the junction of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Drive shortly after 5:30 PM, involved Firdaus riding his motorcycle at speeds exceeding 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
SPEEDING
The Traffic officer, who has a prior history of speeding incidents preceding his police service which began in 2020, faced scrutiny for his actions on duty.
Despite knowing the nature of his assignment did not warrant exceeding the speed limit, Firdaus was found to be traveling at 108 km/h, well above the 50 km/h limit.
District Judge Kok Shu-En condemned Firdaus’ actions during the sentencing, stating, “You of all people should have known just how dangerous it is to be travelling at such speeds.”
Alongside his jail time, Firdaus was disqualified from holding or obtaining any class of driving licenses for eight years following his release.
The tragic incident unfolded when Firdaus was riding along Hougang Avenue 3. He spotted Mr. Tan crossing the road but realized too late that the pedestrian had not noticed the sirens or flashing lights of his motorcycle.
In a desperate attempt to avoid a collision, Firdaus braked hard and swerved right but could not avoid striking Mr. Tan. The force of the impact caused Mr. Tan to be thrown onto the grass verge, while Firdaus fell off his motorcycle, which overturned.
Mr. Tan was found unconscious at the scene and later succumbed to multiple injuries at Tan Tock Seng Hospital later that day. Prosecutors clarified that Mr. Tan was not jaywalking, as he crossed more than 50 meters away from the nearest pedestrian crossing.
However, they added that he was still required to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Daphne Lim emphasized that Firdaus’s speed, coupled with his disregard for the safety of the public, played a crucial role in the fatal accident. For his crime of riding without due care and causing death, he faced a potential punishment of up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
The prosecutor stated that Mr. Tan was not jaywalking because he crossed the road more than 50 meters away from the nearest overhead bridge.
According to regulations, pedestrians must use a designated crossing if they are within 50 meters of it.
“However, any pedestrian who (is) not crossing at a pedestrian crossing is still required to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles,” DPP Lim added according to ST.
Image via SGRV Facebook
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