In a recent incident that took place in Katong in 2023, a woman drove off with a cyclist clinging to the bonnet of her car during a road rage episode. The woman, Ms. Elaine Michele Ow, 50, appealed against a 12-month driving disqualification order at the High Court, but unfortunately lost her case on Friday. Ms. Ow had previously pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of cyclist Nicolette Tan Shi’en in a rash act, which resulted in a short detention order (SDO) of three days for her in December of the previous year.
The Background of the Incident
The dispute between Ms. Tan and Ms. Ow unfolded on June 2, 2023, as Ms. Ow was driving along Still Road South on her way to teach a cooking class at i12 Katong mall. Ms. Tan, a lawyer, was cycling on the same road and felt that Ms. Ow’s car was driving too closely to her as they entered a slip road. This led to a confrontation at a junction where Ms. Tan confronted the driver, Ms. Ow. Despite Ms. Ow’s attempts to drive around Ms. Tan, the situation escalated as Ms. Tan continued to block her car. Ms. Ow apologized initially, but tensions rose again when her vehicle made contact with Ms. Tan’s bicycle, leading to Ms. Tan opening Ms. Ow’s car door slightly.
The Appeal Arguments
During the appeal, Ms. Ow’s lawyer, Kanthan Raghavendra, argued that the SDO was a sufficient punishment and sought to have the disqualification order overturned or reduced. He claimed that his client should not face double punishment with the disqualification order, especially considering she would have to retake her driving test after the disqualification period. Mr. Raghavendra painted the incident as a unique road rage situation, emphasizing Ms. Tan’s aggressive behavior and harassment towards Ms. Ow. He highlighted Ms. Ow’s attempts to de-escalate the situation and argued that her actions were prompted by the circumstances she found herself in.
The Verdict
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sunil Nair argued against the appeal, stating that there was no excuse for Ms. Ow to move her car forward when Ms. Tan was in front of her, suggesting that she should have waited for the police to arrive instead. The prosecutor emphasized the vulnerability of pedestrians in incidents involving motor vehicles and argued that harm cannot be considered low in such cases. Justice Hoo Sheau Peng ultimately dismissed the appeal, agreeing with the lower court’s decision to impose a disqualification order. While acknowledging fault on both sides, the judge held Ms. Ow fully responsible for her actions after she chose to drive off with Ms. Tan on her car bonnet.
In conclusion, the High Court’s decision highlights the importance of accountability and responsible behavior on the road. Despite the unique circumstances of the incident, all drivers are reminded to exercise caution and respect towards pedestrians and fellow road users to prevent such confrontations in the future. The case serves as a cautionary tale for drivers to maintain composure and seek peaceful resolutions in moments of conflict on the road.
