Anyone seen the Ferrari crash? Your views

[Nicholasim]

Has anyone seen the YouTube video of the Ferrari beating the red light and crashing into the taxi?

If not, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JfAaOABk4g

The PRC driving the ferrari, along with the Singaporean cab driver and Japanese tourist passenger has passed away. Injured are the Ferrari passenger and a motorcyclist who was hit as well, he suffers from spinal injuries, most probably will be paralysed for the rest of his life.

What are your views on this? 1 reckless driver killed 2 people and destroyed the lives of so many. Imagine when the victims loved ones hears of the news.

A sole bread winner of his family, out working hard earning money for his family, died just like that.

Anyway if the Ferrari driver survived, I think he'll probably get 2 weeks jail and fined a few thousand, looking at the trend of recent cases. Really wonder where is the justice.

 

[soft]

First, I want to warn against any race/country/rich/poor argument and posting.

It is indeed unfortunate that the accident happened and lives are lost. Much condolences to the families involved.

I try to drive as safely as possible. But I always tell myself to anticipate others' driving mistakes. They could be rushing, not alert, distracted or even thinking that they are "king of the road".

I hope fellow SOFTies who drive will make the road safer by giving way to other and not be angry when someone cuts into your lane or "challenge" you. After all, our lives are more important than a moment of folly.

Drive safe. Make it home everyday.

 

[an2]

Nothing much to say bro. Life has to move on. We can't let things like these get to us, it would be a little petty and uncivilized to wage some potential "all out" war because of one man's mistake. In every race/religion/group of people, there are always the bad ones and the good ones. Blame it on bad luck that the taxi happened to be there and then at that time.

 

[Ang3L]

"Anyway if the Ferrari driver survived, I think he'll probably get 2 weeks jail and fined a few thousand, looking at the trend of recent cases."

Is if? But Why so like that?!


Ah Nep

 

[Nicholasim]

"Anyway if the Ferrari driver survived, I think he'll probably get 2 weeks jail and fined a few thousand, looking at the trend of recent cases."

Is if? But Why so like that?!


Ah Nep

Hmm, in recent news, A bus driver knocked down an elderly woman. A man hijacked a taxi and rammed it into a cleaner at changi airport.

What happened to them?

 

[soft]

As to the punishment for such offence, I think it is according to the law of the state. Any law-knowledge SOFTies who can chip in on the reason why the punishment seem so light even when the victim suffers much more?

 

[ChrisH]

One of the reasons why the charges aren't so severe is because it's an automobile accident, there's no proof of intentional malice or intent to kill. Therefore he can only be given the harshest penalty pertaining to traffic violations.

 

[guitarsan]

As to the punishment for such offence, I think it is according to the law of the state. Any law-knowledge SOFTies who can chip in on the reason why the punishment seem so light even when the victim suffers much more?

My guess is more of a "conspiracy theory" type, and it's also an opinion I got from a friend who worked in a barrister office when I asked her some years back. But it kind of make sense if you think about it.

Why does Singapore (with an international reputation of having strict laws and punishments) treat serious traffic offenders, including those who cause death to others, so leniently? For example, in Australia, a country where laws are known to be more "liberal", would sentence a drunk driver who causes death to a mandatory 4-6 years jail term. But in Singapore, the same drunk driver who causes death would typically spend a few weeks in jail, a few thousand dollars in fine, and have his/her license suspended for 5 years. Sometimes, he/she would even avoid jail term. But the same court in Singapore would sentence a petty shoplifter who stole an inexpensive item to a few months imprisonment. Such questions have been raised a number of times in the past, but the judiciary in Singapore never seem to give us a proper answer - one that can figure out based on common sense, equality and fairness.

Our speculative reason? To protect the elites. So who are the "elites"? They are the ministers, MP's, senior government officials, high ranking civil servants, CEOs and senior executives of GLCs, directors and senior management of MNCs, senior foreign expatriates, the very wealthy, and anyone who belongs to upper tier of Singapore's social and academic standings.

Unlike the heartlanders and the rest of Singaporeans, these so-called "elites" are less susceptible to committing typical "blue-collar" crimes like assault, rioting, theft, robbery, arson, rape, drug abuse, drug trafficking and so forth. Hence, the law need not "protect" them. However, the elites ARE susceptible to committing traffic violations like drink driving, disregarding traffic rules, reckless and dangerous driving, endangering or causing injury/death to other road users. The elites would behave like anyone else on the road and would commit offences like anyone else on the road. Therefore, something needs to be done to "protect" the elites from the consequences, if they are to commit such offences. As a result, we ended up with an ultra-lenient (but blanketed) set of laws and punishments for traffic offenders, no matter how serious they may be. Under these laws, those serious traffic offenders, but more importantly the elites, are "protected" from possible long jail terms, which can ruin their public image and entire career.

Like I said, it's just a speculative answer to that WHY question. But to me, it makes sense. Maybe someone can chime in with their opinion?

 

[harist13]

In my opinion... law are equal.... regardless of status...

what make the difference is the (defence) attorney.... many cases (eg: heartlanders and the rest of Singaporeans) stood charge without any representative, unlike in some more developed countries where public attorney is made available. The better income/status you are, the more expensive (qualified) lawyer you can engage...

... furthermore most victims' family (in the countries that you mentioned) would engage their own/public attorney in the civil suit that ran concurrently with the state case hearing... further more the "freedom of press" media who constantly followed and digged into the case,

Also in some system... I think the DA is elected by the people.... not appointed...

just my $0.02 though....

 

[aremarf]

"Anyway if the Ferrari driver survived, I think he'll probably get 2 weeks jail and fined a few thousand, looking at the trend of recent cases."

Is if? But Why so like that?!


Ah Nep

Because laws are old and not updated. I've kept track of a few:

1. Jalan Bahar, car turned right, motorcycle had right of way, rider died, pillion not sure - I think seriously injured. Both NSF. Fined $6k, and banned from driving for a few years. That's it!

2. More high profile one - Whitley Road junction with Dunearn Road, editor of some Chinese newspaper beat a red light, hit a motorcycle with pillion. One dead one seriously injured. At first got quite a long jail-term, but after appeal it got reduced to 1 day (if I remember right). Basically got off with just a slap-on-the-wrist fine.

3. Newton Circus - Private bus knocked into motorcycle - fined $8k and licence revoked 5 years. This one I remember because my friend taught the deceased at Sing Poly, read the news and I swore at these !@#$% drivers and my friend came over and see, and he said "this one my student... not died of severe head injuries lor... he got decapitated. very sad. delivering something for family business."

Many many cases... I'm sure this is a complex topic so I'll stay out of it. Just want to caution all motorists and even pedestrians (especially pedestrians, in fact!) - to be careful when you're on the road. Lots of lousy drivers nowadays. Be prepared for them to have not seen you, etc etc

As a rider myself I have practiced being observant and avoiding potential shit for many years (after getting in a few fortunately non-lethal/dangerous scrapes before I wised up). But I still see many Singaporeans cross the road while day-dreaming/using phone/just not watching out for traffic. Makes me worry - especially if they're old people or girls/women. Not to be ageist or sexist, but some groups of people are just more blur.

 

[aremarf]

Hmmm... I thought it was just very old laws not updated to modern day standards. But what you say makes a kind of sense. I wouldn't put this past them.

BTW, here's a conspiracy theory for your consideration (re: Ferrari case):

1. Ma Chi (Ferrari driver) was cremated almost right away.
2. Paramedics and witnesses reported a strong alcohol smell in car.
3. Mainstream media carried story quoting friends that he was not a strong drinker, that they didn't drink.
4. Whether he was drink-driving - how will it affect insurance claims and compensation and legal actions?

My guess is more of a "conspiracy theory" type