Bus driver fined $5,000, banned from driving three years for causing death of cyclist

SINGAPORE - An SBS Transit bus driver was on Wednesday fined $5,000 and banned from driving for three years for negligently causing the death of a cyclist.

On Nov 4 last year, Rahmat Jamaludin, 32, had failed to notice Bangladeshi national Moktarul Mohammad cycling along the pedestrian crossing of Pioneer Road, while making a right turn at the junction of Pioneer Road by Tanjong Kling Road.

The double-decker bus Rahman was steering collided with the 27-year-old, who died later in hospital from multiple injuries.

Asking for a fine between $5,000 and $6,000 and a driving ban of at least three years, Deputy Public Prosecutor Vijneswaran Kumaran said Mr Moktarul had contributed to the accident by cycling across the road though the pedestrian light was red.

However, DPP Vijneswaran said, even though Rahmat had the right of way, there was no green arrow and he had not stopped completely before making the turn.

Rahmat was driving a heavy vehicle carrying passengers and should also have kept a proper lookout for other road users, the DPP added.

For causing Mr Moktarul's death by a negligent act, Rahmat, a Malaysian, could have been jailed up to two years and fined.