Motorist fined S$3,000 for slapping cyclist who hit his car after he overtook her on road

SINGAPORE — A 45-year-old man was fined S$3,000 on Thursday (Oct 28) for hitting a cyclist who had her three-year-old child with her in an incident last year.

Ng Yong Ngee, who works as an interior designer, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt to Ms Rachel Victoria Williams, 48. 

He has to serve a week in jail if he cannot pay the fine.

The court heard that at about 8.30am on Sept 25 last year, Ng was driving his car along West Coast Road in the leftmost lane. Ms Williams was riding on his left with her child as a pillion in a baby chair.

He then filtered into the left-turning lane in front of Ms Williams. 

District Judge John Ng said that it was clear from the driver's in-car camera footage of the incident that Ms Williams had been cycling alongside Ng’s vehicle when he was trying to go into the slip road.

Instead of giving way to her or ascertaining if she was turning left or going straight, Ng sped up and overtook the cyclist, the judge noted. He almost sideswiped Ms Williams by doing so. 

“That’s the point the cyclist might have felt very vulnerable and surprised, I suppose,” the judge added.

Ms Williams then hit Ng’s car with her hand before continuing to ride straight on West Coast Road.

Upon hearing the thumping sound, Ng sounded the car horn a few times. The victim stopped on the leftmost lane at the junction of Clementi Road and West Coast Road, then turned back and gestured at him before turning back to face forward.

Ng then alighted from his car, approached her and slapped her once on her head from behind before getting back into his vehicle and driving off. She was wearing a helmet at the time.

She sought medical treatment at the National University Hospital and was diagnosed with a right cheekbone bruise.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Lim Shin Hui sought a fine of S$4,000 to S$5,000, noting that Ng does not have any past criminal record.

In sentencing the driver, District Judge Ng said that a significant fine was appropriate despite his lack of prior offences and early plea of guilt.

The judge added: “We would like our motorists to not resort to violence. I observe from the video that you had sufficient time to cool down.

“I can understand why you were alarmed, especially when you had family in your car as well, but you can also understand why the cyclist was also concerned. I think cyclists are very vulnerable on the road. One of the things to be concerned about is to keep a lookout for them.”

The judge also acknowledged that Ng just wanted to move ahead of the cyclist and not cause an accident, as evidenced by him crossing the chevron markings when overtaking her.

Ng could have been jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$5,000, or punished with both.