The road is a dangerous place.
Unfortunately, road accidents are a common occurrence.
A motorcyclist was knocked down by a taxi at a road intersection in Jurong.
Motorcyclist Knocked Down by Taxi
The police were alerted to the incident at about 5.15 am on 6 April 2023.
The accident occurred along Jurong West Avenue 1 towards Jurong East Avenue 1 at the intersection near Block 425.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, the motorcyclist was heading straight before colliding with a taxi that was making a U-turn.
47-year-old Yadi, a resident of the area, told the Chinese news media that she was preparing to eat breakfast at about 5 am when she heard a loud “bang”.
She noted that the motorcyclist’s delivery bags and other items were strewn everywhere.
The front bumper of the taxi had also fallen off.
The motorcyclist had been wearing a helmet.
He fell unconscious and was taken to the hospital.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, the motorcyclist is a 20-year-old full-time national serviceman with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).
He sustained severe injuries and is currently in critical condition.
The 35-year-old taxi driver was arrested for careless driving causing grievous hurt.
Comfortdelgro’s group chief corporate affairs officer, Tammy Tan, said the taxi operator had been informed of the accident.
She also told Lianhe Zaobao that the company is trying to contact the motorcyclist’s family to provide assistance.
She added that if necessary, the company will assist the police in their investigation.
Investigations are currently ongoing.
Intersection Often Has Dangerous Situations
Yu Nanhai, a 65-year-old retiree who has lived in the area for over 40 years, told Lianhe Zaobao that while the accident was devastating, he was not surprised as accidents often occur at this intersection.
He said, “About three or four years ago, my friend was riding a motorcycle through this intersection and was hit by a car making a U-turn.”
“Though the interaction does not have a U-turn sign, many cars still make a U-turn here. It’s dangerous, and the authorities should regulate the area.”
A Lianhe Zaobao reporter stood by the side of the road and saw two taxis make an illegal U-turn within 40 minutes.
The reporter also noted that the road had many pedestrians, causing the road to be even more dangerous.
Dangers of Illegal U-Turns
In Singapore, drivers are not allowed to make a U-turn if there is no U-turn sign.
After all, it’s both risky and dangerous.
Making an illegal U-turn can disrupt traffic flow or cause collisions.
In 2022, an illegal U-turn attempt at Hougang Street 91 resulted in a major accident involving a Renault and a Mercedes.
Despite the double white lines and the two single-lane roads, the Renault still attempted to make a U-turn.
Furthermore, netizens noted that there was a U-turn sign just 300 metres ahead, meaning that the accident could have been averted easily.
Drivers can be fined $70 for making an illegal U-turn.
Unfortunately, Jurong West Avenue 1 has seen its fair share of accidents over the years.
In June 2016, a 21-year-old woman died after a car driven by a 41-year-old man collided with her.
She was admitted to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
In May 2017, another fatal accident occurred on Jurong West Avenue 1 towards Corporation Road, near Block 456.
A lorry drove out from the carpark and turned right, hitting a 25-year-old pregnant woman.
She was taken unconscious to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and died from her severe head injuries.
However, doctors managed to save her premature baby.
The 46-year-old lorry driver was arrested for causing death by negligence.
In February 2020, a polytechnic student was exiting the carpark of Block 537 in Jurong West Avenue 1 in a van.
As the student drove his van forward, he collided with the victim in the yellow box in front of the car park’s exit.
The victim had been riding an e-bicycle on the student’s right.
In 2022, the student was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment for causing the death of the e-bicycle rider.
He was also disqualified from driving for eight years.