SINGAPORE – Just six months after being caught drink driving, a man committed more traffic offences – crashing his car into another vehicle, fleeing the scene, and leaving behind the other vehicle’s driver, who was hurt.
The accident was the latest of his long list of traffic offences over six years.
On Oct 17, Henry Aw Ying Liang was convicted on five charges. He had pleaded guilty to one count each of drink driving, driving a motor vehicle without due care, and failing to render assistance after an accident, and two counts of leaving his vehicle in a position likely to cause danger, obstruction or inconvenience.
He will return to court on Oct 29 to be sentenced.
The court heard that Aw, 32, had committed multiple traffic offences between 2013 and 2018, including speeding, inconsiderate and careless driving, and failure to obey traffic signals.
On May 9, 2023, Aw drank alcohol with a friend at Cuppage Plaza at 3.30am. Some time after 3.50am, he got into his car and drove towards Grange Road, before stopping at a red light at a cross-junction between Orchard Boulevard and Paterson Road.
Aw fell asleep while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. He was woken up at 4.23am by a police officer, who had noticed that his car remained stationary at the junction for 10 minutes.
Aw’s car was found stationary at a cross junction. He had fallen asleep at the wheel after consuming alcohol before driving.
PHOTO: COURT DOCUMENTS
As they communicated, the officer noticed that Aw reeked of alcohol and administered a breathalyser test, which he failed.
After his arrest, a secondary test was conducted at 5.48am at the Police Cantonment Complex. He was found to have 46 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the limit of 35 mcg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Around six months later, on Oct 20, 2023, Aw was driving along Bencoolen Street towards Bras Basah Road at 2.08am when he approached a taxi pick-up and drop-off bay.
He did not slow down as he reached the bay and lost control of his car, causing it to veer right and crashed into a stationary car in the bay.
The crash damaged the stationary car’s left passenger door, and dislodged its rear side bumper and rear left tyre.
The driver was later given six days of medical leave.
In the immediate aftermath of the accident, Aw exited his car and returned home in a taxi he had called for.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Chung Ping Shen said Aw has sought to take full responsibility for what he deemed a lapse of judgment.
Mr Chung pointed out that although the driver had complained of abdominal and neck pain after the accident, there was no discernible or empirical evidence in the medical report that the driver had suffered such pain.
He added that Aw, who helps in his family-owned business dealing with wholesale supplies to supermarkets in Singapore, has endured an emotionally and financially difficult period because of the court proceedings.
“The weight of the proceedings has resulted in him being unable to perform up to the best of his ability. He also suffers from stress mentally and emotionally,” said Mr Chung.
Aw’s crash into the stationary vehicle damaged it, dislodging a tyre and breaking a passenger door.
PHOTO: COURT DOCUMENTS
Those convicted of drink driving can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000 and jailed for up to two years.
Those who drive without due care or attention can be fined up to $1,500, jailed for up to six months, or both.
If found guilty of leaving a motor vehicle in a position that is likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue inconvenience, offenders can be fined up to $2,000, jailed for up to three months, or both.
Failure to stop after an accident, report the accident, or render assistance carries a fine of up to $3,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
Offenders may also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles for at least 12 months.
