Warning Issued After Death of Passenger in Collision Involving Unlicensed Driver
A state coroner has issued a warning regarding the use of unregulated carpooling services on platforms like Telegram, following the tragic death of a passenger in a road accident. Michael Ong Wee Siong, a 21-year-old Singaporean, lost his life on December 31, 2023, after the van he was in flipped over on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) near Tuas, colliding with a lorry.
The driver of the van, 18 years old at the time, was unlicensed and had not been authorised to use the vehicle by its registered owner. He had been offering to transport passengers through a Telegram group chat, a platform where unlicensed drivers often advertise carpooling services in exchange for payment. The government has previously issued warnings against such informal ride-sharing services, highlighting the lack of safety measures compared to licensed carpooling platforms.
The accident occurred as the van, which was travelling at a higher speed than the lorry, collided with the rear of the truck while attempting to overtake it. Due to the driver’s inexperience, it is believed that he misjudged the speed or position of the vehicles, which led to the van launching into the air after the collision and landing upside down on the road. Ong, seated in the front passenger seat, sustained fatal neck injuries and is believed to have died before being extricated from the vehicle.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda highlighted the dangers of using carpooling services in such unregulated groups, emphasising that passengers may be picked up by drivers without sufficient experience, increasing the risk of accidents. Furthermore, injuries or fatalities resulting from these rides may not be covered by insurance. The coroner strongly advised against using such carpooling services and recommended opting for private hire vehicles, taxis, or public transportation instead.
