What is hit and run accident in Singapore?

[downtown1688]

 

I was riding my scooter with my wife as a pillion on 3rd of April 2016 morning, we were travelling along Bendemeer Road (in front of Block 47 Bendemeer Rd) which is in the 2nd left lane next to the bus lane. Suddenly, a Comfort taxi on my right had on the signal to left and kept forcing in beside my scooter. I started to horn several times but the taxi driver didn’t even bother and drove past me. His left sided mirror hit onto my handle and caused my scooter to wobble and we almost fell off the scooter. Luckily, I’ve long legs and managed to put my legs down to steady it. He drove off quickly without even stopping to see to check what happened

 

Luckily, I had managed to hold on to my scooter and I gave chase at the Taxi which my wife briefly remembered the comfort taxi number starting with 70XX. I managed to catch hold of the Taxi driver after 2 traffic lights and insisted him to stop after the traffic light (in front of Block 7 & 8 Boon Keng Road). From the above distance is 1 Kilometer or more (from Block 47 Bendemeer Rd to Block 7 Boon Keng Road).

 

There is a passenger in the taxi and he realized that the taxi had hit on my scooter but both the taxi driver & passenger mentioned that road was busy and they had no chance to stop to see to it! Sunday morning, on my left bus lane there is NO BUS at all till the period I gave chase at the taxi for few minutes. Do you believe that the taxi can’t stop?

 

I called the police and the Traffic police came, after telling him what had happened and he mentioned this is not hit and run. I asked the police officer if he was sure as I wanted to write into the forum to clarify? He checked with his team leader and IO again and mention, YES!

 

Hit and run is, the driver don’t stop at the point of accident and I was injured and can’t give chase but in this incident, after I gave chase at the taxi driver for 1 kilometer or more, the driver finally stopped. This is not considered as hit and run??

 

The traffic police told us to make report or claim the insurance individually if needed and this is will not be taken as a record. This taxi driver already had 4 accident cases before, the last one he will be attending to court on this April 2016, which these was mentioned by the driver while begging me not to make a police report.

 

What makes me very angry is, there isn’t any warning given to the taxi driver at all even though he admitted his fault and asked for a chance!

 

I would like to ask the public and the authority concerned the following:

 

1. If the traffic law is so vague and lenient, is the authority giving these reckless drivers more chances to drive dangerously?

 

2. What if we have injuries on the spot and can’t give chase after the taxi or remember the vehicle number, who can help us?

 

3. Can the authority state clearly the actual statistics, how many hit and run accidents were not solved without any witnesses even witness boards/signs are being put up?

 

4. With the standard SOP, I understand the traffic police can’t take any minor action on the above case. Is the lawmaker encouraging more of these reckless drivers to continue driving dangerously?

 

5. What if you and your love ones or people you know involving in accidents and unfortunately was badly injured or fatal, even not badly hurt without any witness(hit and run). Who is to be blamed?

 

6. Do you know without minimum 3 days medical leave for the accident, you are not supposed to make any police report but only to claim third party insurance. What type of traffic law is Singapore having now?

 

7. In Taiwan, reckless drivers caught in videos or reported by the public, if the authority found them driving dangerously a warning or fine will be given, but why is the Singapore authority so lenient?

[Hydher]

this is definitely a hit and run.

The police in singapore is LAZY

They will only take action if its a big case or someone is injured... this is from personal experience.

 

I LOATHE singapore taxi drivers. They cut you off really close, they hog the fast lane(MAJORITY) and make very dangerous maneuvers.

If you lay a hand on them, you get charged with assaulting a transport provider.

 

Thank you for chasing him and trying your best to put another taxi driver down. Best to install a video camera.

[kaiq]

Somehow I got the feeling this is not a hit and run case (no offence though), bcos you chase the vehicle and catch up with it. If you didn't chase the vehicle, then maybe it's a hit and run, but that's what I think.

 

What this case sounds more like a negligence act of the taxi driver causing a road accident.

 

In Sg if some cases don't result in serious injuries, the drivers/riders probably won't be charged. If you really want to see some action carried against the driver, consult a lawyer or seek legal advises.

 

What you can do now is to:

1: Either report the act the IDAC, file a claim (through repair shop or other means), go hospital do a checkup, file a police report in the hospital. The no. of days of your MC can be used to determine the severity of the accident.

OR

2: Private settlement?

 

Any other advices for TS?

 

Don't bother getting mad at the TP. They just go by the law, so if the law dun changed, they won't change.

[cruisecontrol]

would not be a hit and run since both parties details are recorded down, albeit some distance away from the collision site.

if it were me, i would not gave chase ... instead i would do something else ... hehe ..

if u are keen to pursue, do drop me a pm .. but make it fast, too late and you might not be able to do anything

[downtown1688]

this is definitely a hit and run.

The police in singapore is LAZY

They will only take action if its a big case or someone is injured... this is from personal experience.

 

I LOATHE singapore taxi drivers. They cut you off really close, they hog the fast lane(MAJORITY) and make very dangerous maneuvers.

If you lay a hand on them, you get charged with assaulting a transport provider.

 

Thank you for chasing him and trying your best to put another taxi driver down. Best to install a video camera.

 

 

Is the SOP to make it easier for their Job! Police just follow!

[downtown1688]

Somehow I got the feeling this is not a hit and run case (no offence though), bcos you chase the vehicle and catch up with it. If you didn't chase the vehicle, then maybe it's a hit and run, but that's what I think.

 

What this case sounds more like a negligence act of the taxi driver causing a road accident.

 

In Sg if some cases don't result in serious injuries, the drivers/riders probably won't be charged. If you really want to see some action carried against the driver, consult a lawyer or seek legal advises.

 

What you can do now is to:

1: Either report the act the IDAC, file a claim (through repair shop or other means), go hospital do a checkup, file a police report in the hospital. The no. of days of your MC can be used to determine the severity of the accident.

OR

2: Private settlement?

 

Any other advices for TS?

 

Don't bother getting mad at the TP. They just go by the law, so if the law dun changed, they won't change.

 

Same advise as what you mention. Our Law is getting is getting very messy & vague! The TP is just getting his pay and follow the SOP, I don't blame him!

[downtown1688]

would not be a hit and run since both parties details are recorded down, albeit some distance away from the collision site.

if it were me, i would not gave chase ... instead i would do something else ... hehe ..

if u are keen to pursue, do drop me a pm .. but make it fast, too late and you might not be able to do anything

 

No point pursue as the law here is a big loophole! I don't relay on claim for a leaving! Thanks

[cruisecontrol]

No point pursue as the law here is a big loophole! I don't relay on claim for a leaving! Thanks

 

claiming is another matter, it's a personal preference ...

 

for me, it's making sure that the driver learnt his lesson for behaving in such manner on the road ... the law is as such. reporting such accidents/incidents have to be precise with the choice of words you lodged on the report. if it's too vague, the IO most probably take it at face value and classified it as a non-injury case and close it. i have seen reports lodged by the police officers, NS guys or even regular officers which can even make the innocent party looks guilty..

 

people can lament that the TP are not doing their job, or just follow SOP but have you guys ever thought ..why is it so? At the point of the accident, only you and the other party know what actually happened (dun bother about independent witness, not many people wanna step forward to help), unless you have a video footage of the accident ... it's how you relay that information to the police for them to make out the scenario and classify the case. to you, you might have given the full information and sequence of the accident but would that be enough? there are certain things and scenarios that you have to advise them for them to warrant an investigation and take an action against the other party, if necessary. understanding the barometer of liability agreement is one step, but how to apply that in your report is another.

 

anyway, sorry for the long post .....just clarifying things, am not here to tout for claims or whatever you might think of. there are a lot of touts and workshops out there to do just that.

 

all in all, what matters is that you and your pillion was not hurt. that's the main thing

[downtown1688]

claiming is another matter, it's a personal preference ...

 

for me, it's making sure that the driver learnt his lesson for behaving in such manner on the road ... the law is as such. reporting such accidents/incidents have to be precise with the choice of words you lodged on the report. if it's too vague, the IO most probably take it at face value and classified it as a non-injury case and close it. i have seen reports lodged by the police officers, NS guys or even regular officers which can even make the innocent party looks guilty..

 

people can lament that the TP are not doing their job, or just follow SOP but have you guys ever thought ..why is it so? At the point of the accident, only you and the other party know what actually happened (dun bother about independent witness, not many people wanna step forward to help), unless you have a video footage of the accident ... it's how you relay that information to the police for them to make out the scenario and classify the case. to you, you might have given the full information and sequence of the accident but would that be enough? there are certain things and scenarios that you have to advise them for them to warrant an investigation and take an action against the other party, if necessary. understanding the barometer of liability agreement is one step, but how to apply that in your report is another.

 

anyway, sorry for the long post .....just clarifying things, am not here to tout for claims or whatever you might think of. there are a lot of touts and workshops out there to do just that.

 

all in all, what matters is that you and your pillion was not hurt. that's the main thing

 

Thanks for your help and time taken on the reply and explanation, both me and the pillion only suffer a shock during the incidents! Luckily i could balance and hold on to my scooter!

 

As the taxi driver, he maybe rushing due to the passenger directed him because after we had stop the taxi, the passenger was there till the TP came and settle the whole case. He try to speak for the taxi driver uncle for asking me to give the uncle a chance not to report!

 

I understand most taxi rush maybe due to passenger request because they are late for appointment or work! When we look at the passenger face we knew he feel guilty as well, if not he won't be staying so long to approach both me and my wife to give the uncle a chance all the time. What i want is at least a warning was given by the TP but not just let him go so easily as this taxi driver has 4 traffic offence case before and the last one he had, is to be present in court in April this month!

 

Hope he will learn his lesson!