SINGAPORE: A trailer driver forgot to retract his crane boom when going under an overhead MRT track and struck the structure, leaving scratches that cost S$8,700 (US$6,490) to assess and repair.
The driver, 72-year-old Singaporean Goh Chin Peng, was fined S$3,800 and banned from driving for a year on Tuesday (Jan 23).
He pleaded guilty to one charge each of driving a heavy motor trailer without reasonable consideration for other road users and failing to stop after the accident.
A third charge for driving a motor trailer that was more than 4.5m high without a police escort was considered in sentencing.
The court heard that Goh was a driver with Hong Fa Logistics and Engineering, which rents out lifting equipment.
At about 5.30pm on Mar 18 last year, Goh drove the company’s motor trailer with a retractable crane boom along Corporation Road towards Bulim Avenue. He forgot to retract the boom before setting off.
The vehicle was a goods vehicle with an unladen weight of more than 2,500kg.
When Goh came to the signalised cross junction of Boon Lay Way, he approached an overhead train track that measured 5.52m from the ground.
He forgot to lower the crane boom and drove across the junction.
In a video posted on SG Road Vigilante’s Facebook page, a motorcyclist could be seen at the right of the trailer as the trailer went past, striking the underside of the train track and shuddering to the right.
However, the trailer did not stop and instead continued moving despite dust and debris falling to the road.
The motorcyclist appeared startled and jolted towards the right after seeing the impact.