A man in Singapore has received a five-month prison sentence for his role in the death of a 73-year-old female pedestrian, resulting from a motorcycle accident. Rendra Hairul, who is 34 years old, was sentenced on January 21 after being convicted under the Road Traffic Act. Additionally, he has been barred from driving for eight years following the incident that took place on December 20, 2020.
At the time of the accident, Rendra was traveling along Orchard Boulevard at speeds reaching between 67kmh to 73kmh, which exceeds the road's speed limit of 50kmh. During the incident, he was maneuvering his motorcycle close to the lane boundaries to pass two vehicles. Rendra claimed a car abruptly braked, prompting him to overtake it, but he failed to notice the pedestrian crossing the road until it was too late, resulting in a collision on the fourth lane.
Emergency responders found the pedestrian in cardiac arrest upon arrival and she later died at a hospital due to severe injuries from the accident, which were confirmed as consistent with a vehicular collision. Rendra's defense argued that he acted with care, but the prosecution rebutted this claim, emphasizing that he failed to adequately observe the situation ahead of him. Ultimately, the judge concluded that had Rendra not been speeding, he might have been able to avoid the tragedy.
During the trial, Rendra's legal team suggested the pedestrian had contributed to the accident by crossing at a busy time, but this was met with scrutiny from the prosecution. It was highlighted that Rendra's distraction and excessive speed played significant roles in the fatal outcome. In light of these factors, the court delivered a sentence that balanced accountability with recognition of the tragic circumstances. Rendra will begin his prison term on February 10 after being granted time to settle personal matters.
14 Comments
Rotfront
The court acknowledged the severity of the incident and balanced punishment with the understanding that accidents can happen despite taking precautions.
Matzomaster
Rendra will face the consequences of his actions and hopefully learn from this tragedy. The sentence allows him a chance to rebuild his life after serving his time.
Karamba
This sentence sends a message that speeding and endangering lives has minor consequences. This won't deter others from similar behavior.
BuggaBoom
Moving forward, let's focus on promoting road safety education and awareness for both drivers and pedestrians to prevent similar tragedies.
Eugene Alta
This incident reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of valuing each other's presence on the road. Let's drive with caution and respect for everyone.
ZmeeLove
We hope this tragedy serves as a learning experience for everyone to prioritize safe driving practices and pedestrian awareness.
Africa
This sentence serves as a reminder to all drivers to be vigilant and adhere to traffic rules. Safety should always be the top priority.
Muchacha
5 months seems too lenient for taking a life due to reckless driving. Justice wasn't served for the victim and her family.
Comandante
Our thoughts are with the victim's family. They deserve more than just a 5-month sentence for their loss.
Africa
Moving forward, let's focus on promoting road safety education and awareness for both drivers and pedestrians to prevent similar tragedies.
Raphael
The court acknowledged the severity of the incident and balanced punishment with the understanding that accidents can happen despite taking precautions.
Habibi
Expressing sympathy for the victim's family while recognizing that Rendra will also face a difficult time due to the incident.
ZmeeLove
8 years driving ban is insufficient. He shouldn't be allowed on the road ever again, considering the risk he poses to others.
Coccinella
This sentence won't bring the victim back. It's a tragedy for everyone involved, but the punishment doesn't reflect the severity of the loss.