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May 31, 2011
Cabby fined for crashing into 4 people, 7-Eleven store
By Khushwant Singh
On Christmas day in 2009, cabby Quah Kok Chin ran into four pedestrians and crashed his taxi into a 7-Eleven store in Tiong Bahru Plaza. -- PHOTO: SHIN MIN
ON CHRISTMAS Day in 2009, cabby Quah Kok Chin ran into four pedestrians and crashed his taxi into a 7-Eleven store in Tiong Bahru Plaza.
One victim, crane operator Chia Kin Long, 57, suffered a fractured foot as well as cuts on his head and limbs. He was hospitalised for six days while the others received outpatient treatment for bruises.
On Tuesday, Quah, 58, pleaded guilty to failing to keep proper control of his vehicle and was fined $800 by District Judge Salina Ishak. The father of three grown-up sons was also disqualified from driving for three months.
According to court documents, the mishap occurred at about 12.50pm along the driveway of Tiong Bahru Plaza. Investigations indicated the weather and visibility were fine, the road surface was dry and traffic flow was light.
Defence counsel Kertar Singh said his client had an accident-free record in nearly 36 years of driving; the last 20 years as a Comfort taxi driver.
The court also hear that two weeks before the accident, Quah was allocated a Hyundai Sonata taxi. This was his first time driving a turbo-charged vehicle and he was still coming to terms with its sudden bursts of speed if the accelerator was pressed suddenly.
On the day of the accident, Quah was in the queue at the taxi stand. As he moved forward, some pedestrians stepped off the kerb as if about to cross the path of his taxi. Instead of stepping on the brake pedal, Quah's foot slipped and hit the accelerator instead.
This caused the turbo to kick in, and the Sonata surged forward.
The court then heard that as a result of the incident, Quah had to give up driving for Comfort and went to work for Trans-Cab.
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