Teen tourist given short detention order over PMD collision that left man injured
SINGAPORE — While visiting friends in Singapore, a Vietnamese teenager borrowed a friend’s personal mobility device (PMD) for a trip to the supermarket.
However, Nguyen Doan Nam ended up crashing into a pedestrian and throwing his pillion rider to the ground.
The 17-year-old was given a short detention order lasting a week on Wednesday (18 December) after he pleaded guilty to one count of causing injury to 37-year-old Teo Kok Hock, who was struck by the PMD.
Receiving a short detention order means that Nguyen will not have a criminal record when he is released. Two other breaches of the Road Traffic Act were considered for his sentencing.
Collision along Geylang Road
Nguyen had visited Singapore on 8 April to visit his friends.
At about 10pm on 20 May, Nguyen borrowed his friend’s PMD to make a trip to a nearby supermarket.
On the way back, Nguyen rode the PMD with his friend riding pillion. As they travelled along Geylang Road against the flow of traffic, Nguyen stuck close to the roadside kerb.
At the same time, Teo was on standing on the kerb with the intention of crossing Geylang Road. He was within 50m of a “No Pedestrian Crossing” sign.
After checking that there was no oncoming traffic, Teo stepped onto the road – and into Nguyen’s path. Unable to stop in time, Nguyen collided into Teo’s back. The impact caused both Teo and Nguyen’s pillion rider to fall.
Teo sustained abrasions on his right elbow, knee and a cut on his left foot from the accident. He called the police after being hit and reported that he had been hit by an e-scooter. Teo was taken to the hospital and received four days’ medical leave.
PMD in breach of regulations
Police investigations revealed that the PMD used had been bought in Malaysia and was in breach of the specifications stated in the Active Mobility Act Regulations 2018. Its unladen weight was more than 20kg and it was also not registered under the Active Mobility Act 2017 or the Road Traffic Act.
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Kenneth Chin said it was aggravating that Nguyen rode against the flow of traffic and that he had been riding on the road.
“While the victim was jaywalking just prior to the collision, this does not reduce the culpability of the accused in riding the PMD against the flow of traffic. The victim had checked that oncoming traffic was clear before attempting to cross the road,” said DPP Chin.
Teo could not have been expected to look out for the PMD since it was going against the flow of traffic, he added.
Nguyen’s lawyer Ng Kwong Loong did not object to the sentence and only noted Nguyen’s young age.
For causing hurt through a rash act, Nguyen could have been jailed up to one year, fined up to $5,000 or both.
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