Trailer Driver Jailed in Fatal Tampines Collision
SINGAPORE – A 45-year-old trailer driver, Mazli Wahab, has been sentenced to 24 weeks in jail for causing the death of a 64-year-old cyclist in Tampines. The incident occurred on January 3, 2025, at the junction of Tampines Avenue 2 and Tampines Street 11.
Mazli, a Malaysian national, pleaded guilty on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to one count of driving without due care and attention, resulting in the death of Madam Lim Kim Huay. He was also disqualified from driving any motor vehicle and obtaining a driving license for eight years.
The court heard that Mazli was driving a prime mover with a 12.2-meter-long trailer attached, having entered Singapore from Johor Bahru at approximately 5:30 am to deliver precast concrete. At the same time, Madam Lim was cycling across a pedestrian crossing at Tampines Street 11.
According to an eyewitness, Madam Lim began cycling across the junction only after the traffic lights turned green in her favour. However, when Mazli reached the intersection, the lights were also green for him, but Madam Lim had the right of way. Mazli failed to keep a proper lookout and made a left turn onto Tampines Street 11.
The front right portion of the trailer struck Madam Lim, causing her to fall to the ground and be run over. Two eyewitnesses reacted immediately, running towards the trailer and signaling for Mazli to stop. They knocked on the driver’s door until he brought the vehicle to a halt, and even requested he slightly reverse the trailer to allow access to the victim.
Madam Lim was found conscious but severely injured. Paramedics arrived at the scene, but she lost consciousness before they could provide treatment and was unable to be resuscitated. The impact caused damage to her bicycle, twisting the basket, denting the handlebar, and scratching the pedal.
The prosecution had requested a jail sentence of five to seven months, citing enhanced penalties under the Road Traffic Act implemented in 2019 to deter irresponsible driving and improve road safety. While there was no evidence of speeding, the prosecutor emphasized that Mazli should have exercised greater caution given the size and potential for harm associated with operating a heavy vehicle.
“The accused failed to see the deceased, who was right in front of him, when he collided into her,” the prosecutor stated. “This shows that he was especially careless, and the accident could have been easily avoided, if he had kept a proper lookout ahead.”
Under the Road Traffic Act, driving without due care and attention causing death carries a potential penalty of up to three years imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
The incident adds to a concerning trend of traffic fatalities in Singapore. Statistics released earlier showed that 71 people died in traffic accidents in the first half of 2023, a significant increase of 57.8 percent compared to the 45 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2022. Accidents resulting in injuries also rose by 11.1 percent, from 3,125 to 3,471.
