Driver who almost hit Pasir Ris condo chairman and drove dangerously gets fine, driving ban
When stopped by the chairman for driving against traffic in the carpark, Stanford Ho said it was common for residents to drive that way.
SINGAPORE: A driver who almost hit the chairman of his condominium's Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) was fined S$10,000 (US$7,400) and banned from driving for two years on Thursday (Jun 13).
When confronted by the chairman for driving against traffic in the basement carpark, the man replied that "it is common" for residents there to drive in that manner.
Stanford Ho, a 27-year-old Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one charge each of a rash act endangering personal safety and dangerous driving for an unrelated incident.
The court heard that on Jul 15, 2023, the 59-year-old chairman of the MCST of Coco Palms condominium in Pasir Ris Grove was walking towards his car in the basement carpark when he noticed Ho driving against traffic.
The chairman signalled for Ho to stop and told him to drive in the correct direction. Ho responded that it was common for residents there to drive that way.
Ho's mother, who was in the car, alighted and apologised to the chairman, saying she would get her son to drive correctly.
While the conversation was ongoing, Ho tried to drive against traffic so he could exit the carpark.
When his mother saw this, she stood between the car and the chairman to prevent the latter from going close to the vehicle.
Ho then manoeuvred past his mother and the chairman. The chairman wanted to stop Ho from leaving, so he slanted his body slightly towards the car.
The car came into contact with the chairman's forearm, leaving a mark. The condo's security guard called 999, saying that the chairman was almost hit by a car.
Ho left the scene and returned only after his mother told him the police were there.
THE SECOND INCIDENT
Several months later, on Oct 6, 2023, Ho was driving along Pasir Ris Grove, while a 53-year-old female driver was in the adjacent lane.Suddenly, Ho accelerated and abruptly cut into the woman's lane, causing the woman to react by braking.
After this near collision, Ho continued to drive ahead of the woman before suddenly coming to a complete stop.
The woman was unable to react in time and her vehicle collided with the back of Ho's.
The woman filed a police report.
The court heard that Ho was previously convicted of speeding in 2017 and of reckless or dangerous driving in 2019.
The prosecution sought a fine of S$2,000 for the condo incident, and S$8,000 and a driving ban of 24 months for the second incident.
Ho paid the fine in full.
