Backtrack a couple of months ago and Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) accidents were at an all-time high.
How high? High enough to provoke the sleeping dragon (read: authorities) into immediate action.
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On 18 May, Senior Minister of State (Transport) Lam Pin Min revealed that the number of PMD-related accidents has tripled in 2017.
There were 42 cases in 2016.
Last year, in 2017, it was 128 reported accidents.
A Serious Accident
People might’ve thought of e-scooters as less dangerous than cars, which is why they’re allowed on the pavements as well as the roads.
But e-scooter accidents do not just result in scrapped shins and bruises.
Sometimes, they result in devastating consequences, like what happened to the 55-year-old housewife, Ang Liu Kiow.
On 17 September 2016, Mdm Ang Liu Kiow was on her way to shop for groceries when she met with an accident with a 17-year-old teen and his e-scooter.
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According to reports, her bicycle was locked up at the bicycle rack below Block 541 Pasir Ris Street 51.
Nicholas Ting Nai Jie was riding on his 14kg e-scooter with his girlfriend as the pillion rider. He rode at about 14 to 15 km/h when he approached a bus stop near Blk 541, Pasir Ris St 51.
It was noted that he did not sound his horn to warn pedestrians and commuters about his approach.
Then, Madam Ang stepped onto the footpath.
Ting’s girlfriend managed to jump off before the collision occurred, but he was unable to stop the e-scooter in time and collided with the housewife.
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Madam Ang fell and hit her head on the ground, and was reported to have vomitted yellowish fluid.
In Ting’s defence, he didn’t do a hit-and-run.
Instead, he immediately called the police for assistance and Madam Ang was taken to Changi General Hospital.
The Aftermath of the Accident
Madam Ang had to undergo two operations, one to remove the blood clot in her brain and another to drain out the accumulated brain fluid.
She went into a coma and awoke the following month. However, even after she was discharged, she needs physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
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And she now has language impairment and a poor memory.
19-Year-Old E-Scooter Rider Sentenced To Short Detention Order
The defence asked for community service as Ting’s sentence. They said that it was a “most unfortunate incident” without “any recklessness or intention on his part.”
It was added that Ting has shown utmost remorse for his actions and has a bright future.
The prosecution, on the other hand, asked for a short detention order and 140 hours of community service.
District Judge Eddy Tham sentenced Ting to a short detention order of 14 days in prison. However, Ting will not have a criminal record.
He was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service within a year, saying that this will give Ting a chance to “pay back to society”.
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For causing grievous hurt with a negligent act, Ting could have been jailed for up to two years and fined up to S$5,000.
Netizens’ Reactions
Netizens are, of course, not happy with the outcome.
Some felt that the punishment was too light
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Some think that this isn’t a good deterrence to other reckless riders
While some just outright condemned e-scooters
What do you think?
Before I leave you guys, there’s this thing I’ve heard about before.
Sometimes, the greatest punishments aren’t those imposed by others, but by yourself. Imagine knowing that you’ve irrevocably destroyed a person’s life with your own hands. The guilt you’d feel is, quite possibly, a harsh-enough punishment.
Provided you have a conscience lah, but that’s an argument for another day, no?
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Now you know what Singaporeans are talking about today; do check back tomorrow for another piece of news of the day!
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