But in-vehicle camera footage from both vehicles showed that the car only started to filter into the bus lane when it was very close to the entrance of Liang Seah Street, said the judge.
He said that drivers should always signal their intentions early, and noted that the car driver did in this case.
“But car drivers should also make sure they get their vehicles into position to execute their intended turn early rather than wait,” said Judge Nakhoda.
He said that if the car had filtered into the bus lane earlier, as soon as or shortly after the broken yellow line started, this may have given the bus driver more time to slow down and react.
An investigation officer testified that there was no evidence that either vehicle was travelling above the speed limit of 50 kmh along that stretch of North Bridge Road.
The bus driver gave evidence that he was about three to four car lengths’ distance from the entrance to Liang Seah Street and looking in front when he noticed the car cutting into his lane.
He applied the brakes to avoid a collision, while the car swerved back into the lane to the right of the bus lane.
Both vehicles stopped after the near-collision and the drivers briefly spoke. The car then drove off and the bus driver called SBS Transit to report the incident.
Paramedics arrived to take Mr Siah, who was semi-conscious and lying on the ground at the front of the bus, to the hospital.
Apart from head injuries, he also suffered rib fractures and neck injuries. His condition deteriorated and he died on Sep 16, 2021.
The hearing at the State Courts was attended by Mr Siah’s daughter and two sons.