15 Months Probation For E-Scooter Rider Who Fractured Elderly Man’s Face


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In life, you make decisions.

Sometimes, you make good ones that’ll make you the next Jack Ma. And sometimes, you make bad ones that’ll land you on national newspapers.

18-Year-Old Sentenced to 15 Months Probation

On 17 Oct, an 18-year-old student, Ho Jun Wei, was sentenced to 15 months probation.

His crime?

Causing grievous hurt to a 78-year-old man by committing a rash act.

He has to perform 100 hours of community service and must remain indoors from 10 pm to 6 am every day.

His parents are bonded for $5,000 to make sure he’s on his good behaviour.

What Happened?

Ho was riding on a footpath near Yishun Junior College on 17 Feb at around 3.30 pm. He then saw a 78-year-old man, Mr Wong Ah Jee, when they were still far away from each other.

Expecting the man to give way to him, he sounded his horn three times. When Mr Wong didn’t give way, he tried but couldn’t stop his e-scooter in time.

It was reported that he was travelling at 20km/h.

He knocked into the back of Wong, causing him to fall down flat on his face. The victim was then brought to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

Wong suffered fractures in five areas on his head in addition to a bleeding nose, bruised eyes and abrasions on his arms.

Ho has paid Wong back for the $676.90 medical bill.

Speed Limit For Footpaths To Be Brought Down To 10km/h

In case you’ve missed it, the speed limit for e-scooters and bicycles on footpaths will be reduced to 10km/h from Jan 2019. Now, the limit is at 15km/h.

This is done in a bid to give PMD users, cyclists and pedestrians enough time to react.

Check out this video CNA did on whether it’s possible to stop an e-scooter in time:


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In addition, it was added that riders must give way to pedestrians and slow down when approaching crowded areas.

When overtaking other path users, riders must also be extra careful.

Here are the other changes that will be implemented from Jan 2019:

Cyclists must wear helmets when riding on the roads

On the roads, cyclists are the most vulnerable group and they should have as much protection as feasibly possible to reduce impacts and injuries suffered.


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The only exception is cyclists who are riding on the footpaths and crossing the road.

“Stop and look out for oncoming traffic” made mandatory for active mobility users

This will hopefully prevent unfortunate accidents from happening. But if you remember, we’ve been taught to do that since young. 

To limit the speed of motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters to 10km/h

So that people, who are not genuinely in need of such devices, will not resort to these devices just to exploit the loophole.

Make avenues of seeking compensation more accessible by victims of active mobility users


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The panel also advised active mobility users to take up a third party insurance in case they have to pay a hefty claim for a victim in the event of an accident.

More educational efforts for both pedestrians and active mobility users on the safe sharing of public paths and roads.

Oh yeah, you’re going to see more banners and sponsored posts soon.