Following the tragic death of a passenger in a road traffic accident, the state coroner issued a warning to travelers on Friday ( Feb 21 ) regarding the use of carpooling services like those on Telegram.  ,
Michael Ong Wee Siong, 21, died when the van he was riding in flipped on the Pan-Island Expressway ( PIE ) in the direction of Tuas on Dec 31, 2023 following a collision with a lorry.  ,
The van pilot, who was 18 at the time, did not hold a Group 3 or Provisional Driving License at the time.  ,
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda said in a summary of his observations that Mr. Ong, a Singaporean, died from a chest injuries and was good to have succumbed to his injury before being extricated from the rolled vehicle.  ,
The pilot, whose full name was not revealed in the described results, was doubtful to have had considerable driving experience due to his lack of a licensing, noted the coroner.  , He even had not been authorised by the vehicle’s registered user to use the car.
A vehicle was not designated as a public company car under the Next Schedule of the Road Traffic Act, according to State Coroner Nakhoda.  ,
In consequence, a vehicle could not be used to transport people unless they were employees of the business they were employed by, or were injured or sick in an emergency.
On a Telegram group chat, the unregulated pilot had offered to ferry customers to their locations. Illegal driving chat groups are now accessible on Telegram. In such parties, individuals sell rides to customers in exchange for payment.  ,
The government has issued a warning against these excursions, noting that they lack security measures in contrast to those made with certified driving companies.  ,
Studies failed to find out whether Mr. Ong had paid the pilot in exchange for his services.  ,
VAN DRIVING SPEED FASTER THAN LORRY
The bus driver followed Mr. Ong and drove behind a vehicle to the PIE in Tuas.  ,  ,
The vehicle approached the back of the vehicle at a faster velocity than the lorry was moving, according to the incident’s footage. It was possible that the vehicle was travelling “quite a lot faster” than the vehicle, said the prosecutor.  ,
State Coroner Nakhoda determined that the pilot had begun to screen to the right to beat the vehicle or had attempted to avoid a collision with the vehicle.  ,
The driver’s lack of experience might have led to him not having the necessary contextual knowledge to slow down or slow down his speed in relation to another vehicles on the road.  ,
The driver may have misjudged the speed of his vehicle or the lorry, leading to the coroner’s conclusion that he failed to pass lanes in time while attempting to beat the lorry.  ,
Otherwise, the vehicle drove into the lorry’s right back area, with the resulting effect launching the vehicle into the atmosphere.  ,
The vehicle then turned around and landed in front of the lorry before going past.  ,
Mr. Ong passed away while sitting in the front passenger seats at the time of the event, suffering severe traumatic injury.  ,
Highlighting the consequences of such driving companies, State Coroner Nakhoda said a person , may be picked up by untrained drivers, which can lead to a higher probability of an injury. He added that insurance might not cover the costs of the resultant injuries or deaths.
Passengers who are travelling should avoid using such carpooling services, and instead use a private-hire vehicles, taxis or public transport, the coroner said.  ,