Driver who ran red light and hit cyclist fined; victim also negligent

A driver who ran a red light and crashed into a cyclist at a traffic junction in Jurong, causing the cyclist to suffer a fractured spine, was convicted in court on Jan 20.

- Christine Tan

But in what the driver's lawyer called "very unique circumstances", the cyclist had also crossed the road while the light for pedestrians was red.

This was why the prosecution did not press for a jail term against the driver, Ian Tai Zhi Jian, 35, who pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention causing grievous hurt.

Tai, a teacher, was fined $4,800 - $200 short of the offence's maximum fine of $5,000 - and disqualified from driving for five years.

The court heard that the accident happened on July 25, 2024, at around 11am at the junction of Jurong Town Hall Road and Boon Lay Way.

While Tai was driving straight ahead, he ran the red light and collided with the cyclist, Mr Eugene Sng Jin He, who was cycling across from Tai's right to left.