In a poignant ruling, a Dubai court has levied a significant fine on an 86-year-old driver after a catastrophic mix-up between the accelerator and brake tragically resulted in the loss of two lives—longtime friends of the driver—in a recent accident. This incident has ignited dialogues regarding the safety of elderly drivers.
The unfortunate event unfolded on October 11, 2023, near a multi-storey car park entrance in Toa Payoh, where the driver, identified as Phua Chiew Tong, embarked on a routine excursion with both friends, aged 76 and 83, who he had known for over fifty years.
Court proceedings revealed that as the passengers exited the vehicle, the car began to roll backward. In a frantic attempt to halt the vehicle, the driver accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. The resultant sudden movement caused the car to hit both friends, resulting in dire consequences before crashing into nearby structures.
Despite immediate medical attention, both victims succumbed to their injuries soon after arrival at the hospital. Medical assessments indicated that the cause of death was extensive blunt force trauma along with multiple injuries.
Consequently, the court imposed a maximum fine of S$10,000 and disqualified the driver from holding or obtaining any driving license for an extensive period of eight years. Prosecutors described the situation as involving “exceptional circumstances” due to the tragic repercussions stemming from a fleeting moment of inattention.
The defense cited the driver’s advancing years, deteriorating health, and the profound emotional toll of the accident, noting that he has been dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder ever since. While these mitigating factors were acknowledged by the court, they emphasized the need for accountability in light of the tragic outcome.
This case has sparked vital conversations across Singapore concerning the assessments for elderly drivers, increasing road safety awareness, and instituting preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future.
