A 40-year-old man who stopped his car in the middle of a three-lane road to confront a van driver he saw using a mobile phone has been sentenced to nine days’ jail.
Jereme Quek Han Fei pleaded guilty to one charge of committing a rash act that endangered the personal safety of others. Two other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining any class of driving licence for six months.
He Saw the Van Driver Using a Phone
The incident happened shortly before 1pm on 5 April 2026 near the junction of Admiralty Road West and Woodlands Avenue 10.
Quek was driving behind a van and, while overtaking it, saw its driver, identified in court documents as Tran Nhat Sinh, using a mobile phone while driving.
Quek became angry and repeatedly sounded his horn while following the van. He also shouted vulgarities at Tran.
He later overtook the van before abruptly stopping his own car in the middle of the three-lane road.
Quek then got out and approached the van while continuing to shout at Tran.
Confrontation Escalated Into a Fight
Quek started recording Tran using his phone, but Tran took the device from him.
Quek then opened the van’s door and slapped Tran before closing the door.
Tran subsequently got out of the van and punched Quek. The two men then became involved in a physical fight.
A passing motorist eventually stepped in and separated them.
The confrontation was also recorded by Quek’s in-car camera.
Quek was arrested that same day and taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. He was found to have fractured teeth and abrasions following the altercation.
Tran has separately been charged in court. His case should therefore be treated independently, and the charges against him have not been determined by the court.
Prosecution Sought Up to Four Weeks’ Jail
Deputy Public Prosecutor Intan Suhaily Abu Bakar asked for between two and four weeks’ jail, as well as a six-month driving disqualification.
The prosecution pointed out that Quek did more than sound his horn. He followed the van, overtook it and stopped his car in the middle of the road to confront Tran.
His actions endangered not just the two men but other road users, the prosecution submitted.
Quek, who did not have a lawyer, told the court that this was his first offence. He also said his father was living in a nursing home.
He asked for the start of his jail sentence to be postponed by five weeks so that he could settle work and family matters.
District Judge Ng Cheng Thiam granted that request.
The prosecution had asked for Quek’s bail to be increased from S$10,000 to S$15,000 because of the deferment. The judge decided to leave it at S$10,000 and reminded Quek’s wife, who was acting as his bailor, of her responsibilities.
Under Section 336 of the Penal Code, committing a rash act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others can carry up to six months’ jail, a fine of up to S$2,500, or both.
