Singapore: On Tuesday (May 10) a lorry driver was fined S$1,000 for colliding with a pensioner at a loading dock and inflicting injuries.

        Balakrishnan S Subramaniam, 68, was also given a 10-month driving prohibition for vehicles classified as class 4, 4A, or 5, which includes big trucks. He pled guilty to putting others' personal safety at jeopardy by a careless conduct. Balakrishnan was driving a lorry at the loading and unloading bay of Valiant Industrial Building at about 11.50 a.m. on April 14, 2021, according to the court.

        He positioned the truck next to a container chassis while looking for a parking spot. A 61-year-old retiree was roaming around the harbor at the time and decided to go between the vehicle and the container chassis.

        Balakrishnan, on the other hand, chose to shift his vehicle to a newly available parking spot. According to court records, he failed to keep a good watch and did not spot the victim stepping between his vehicle and the container chassis. 

        The man was brought to the hospital after the left side of the vehicle crashed with him. He had rib fractures on both sides and a liver contusion, according to the doctors. He was admitted to the hospital for four days and given a 14-day hospitalization leave.

        Deputy Public Prosecutor Ang Siok Chen requested a punishment ranging from S$1,000 to S$1,500 as well as a driving prohibition. She said the injuries were quite significant and caused her much distress.


Lolita Andrews, the defense counsel, requested a fine of little more than S$1,000. She also requested that the driving prohibition be limited to five months and only apply to class 5 cars.

Balakrishnan was the family's main income, she added, and driving had been his job for the last 30 years.


She also claimed that there were safety cones placed around the area to prevent pedestrians from passing through dangerous areas.

Ms Andrews stated, "We suggest that it is humanly impossible for anyone to get through such a tight gap." "However, the sufferer managed to squeeze his way past these regions."


Balakrishnan's accusation has previously been lowered from inflicting grave harm by a careless conduct, which carries a harsher punishment, according to the prosecutor.


Ms Ang said that this took into account the victim's involvement.

Balakrishnan's driving restriction was extended for a month by the judge, allowing him time to hire a driver to complete business commitments at his firm.

Endangering the personal safety of others by a careless conduct can result in a three-month prison sentence, a fine of up to S$1,500, or both.