A 56-year-old lorry driver has been sentenced to 13 months in jail and fined $1,000 for a collision that caused $1.4 million in damages to the Central Expressway (CTE) tunnel. The incident, which occurred on November 8, 2024, resulted in a 10-hour closure of the tunnel slip road and significant traffic congestion across the area. The driver, Lai Daohong, pleaded guilty to charges of driving a heavy vehicle that collided with government property and operating an over-height vehicle without the required police or auxiliary police escort.
Court documents revealed that the driver failed to ensure his vehicle's crane boom was lowered before driving. The crane, which exceeded the 4.5-meter height limit, struck a tree branch and a height restriction bar before slamming into the tunnel entrance. The impact dislodged cables and damaged critical mechanical and electrical systems within the tunnel ceiling. While no injuries were reported, the damage necessitated extensive repairs, including four additional nights of road closures to ensure the tunnel's safety and functionality.
This case marks the driver's second conviction for similar traffic offences. In 2017, he was previously fined $3,500 and disqualified from driving for nine months for a similar incident involving a heavy vehicle striking a structure. Following his latest sentence, the court has also disqualified him from holding all classes of driving licenses for 24 months, effective upon his release from prison.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the strict regulations governing heavy vehicles in Singapore. Authorities continue to emphasize that drivers are responsible for planning their routes and ensuring their vehicles comply with height restrictions to prevent such costly and disruptive accidents.