Taxi driver fined $7,000 for causing fatal accident in Ang Mo Kio

A taxi driver who knocked down and killed a pedestrian in a road accident last year was fined $7,000 in court on Wednesday (1 February).

Kader Shaik Hussain Kader Batcha, 61, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing death through a rash or negligent act in the State Courts before District Judge Kan Shuk Weng. He was also disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for three years.

Kader, who was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and black pants, was emotionless as his charge was read to him.

Reading from the statement of facts, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Krystle Chiang said that Kader was driving his taxi along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 on 8 May 2016 at about 6.30 am.

The accident occurred when Kader was making a right turn at a signalised traffic junction into Bishan Road. He failed to see Tay Lee Huay, 57, who was jogging across the road, and knocked her down.

According to the prosecution, the light was in Kader’s favour and the turning arrow green light was not flashing.

DPP Chiang said that the deceased crossed the pedestrian road even though the pedestrian light was not in her favour. She added that the road surface was wet due to rain.

After the collision, Kader alighted from his taxi and called for an ambulance. The deceased was conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries at 9.12 am on the same day.

Pressing for a fine of at least $7,000 and a disqualification period of five years, the prosecution said that Kader should have kept a proper lookout even though the deceased was crossing the road when the lights were not in her favour.

Kader’s lawyer, Abdul Wahab Saulhamid, argued that the deceased, who was wearing a dark coloured attire, was partly culpable as she had jaywalked. He added that the road condition was wet and the area was still dark at the time of the accident.