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Unlicensed Driver Jailed 8 Months, Banned 8 Years for Reckless Chase and Evading Arrest

 



A repeat traffic offender, Ho Whai Keet, 46, was sentenced to a total of eight months and two weeks’ jail and handed an eight-year driving ban on November 5 for a severe case of dangerous driving and evading police. District Judge Koo Zhi Xuan, in his written judgment, emphasized that the sentence was "necessary to achieve the goal of deterrence," stating that those who drive dangerously to evade arrest "must be severely dealt with."

The 20-Minute High-Speed Chase

Ho’s offenses occurred on the night of February 15, 2025. Driving a friend’s borrowed car, a patrolling police officer spotted the car traveling slowly along the BKE (Bukit Timah Expressway) at about 9:30 pm and signaled Ho to stop. Instead of complying, Ho sped off, initiating a dangerous, 20-minute chase toward Woodlands Road.

During the prolonged chase, Ho committed numerous high-risk traffic violations across residential areas:

  • Excessive Speed: Along Bukit Panjang Ring Road, Ho clocked speeds of up to 115 km/h in a zone with a 50 km/h speed limit.

  • Reckless Maneuvers: He drove against the flow of traffic to overtake two vehicles in Senja Road, cut into the path of a van in Bukit Panjang Road, and straddled lanes to squeeze between a van and a motorcycle along Bukit Panjang Ring Road.

  • Traffic Violations: He beat at least four red lights and zipped past at least five zebra crossings without slowing down. Video footage confirmed a pedestrian walking across a small road just seconds before Ho sped past.

  • Conclusion: The pursuit ended when Ho, after entering and exiting the KJE (Kranji Expressway), collided with a centre divider in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, where a separate patrol vehicle finally caught up to him.

Sentencing and Judicial Scrutiny

Ho pleaded guilty on September 18 to four charges: dangerous driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance coverage, and failing to stop when ordered by a police officer.

Judge Koo’s judgment focused heavily on the individual sentence for the dangerous driving offense. As a repeat offender with traffic-related antecedents stretching back to 2006 (including prior convictions for driving under disqualification), Ho faced a maximum of two years’ jail for dangerous driving.

The judge revealed he questioned the prosecution’s initial low sentencing submission of only four to six weeks’ jail for the dangerous driving charge, stating he "could not comprehend" how it could be justified. The prosecution revised its submission to 5½ to eight months.

Judge Koo imposed eight months’ jail for the dangerous driving charge, noting the high level of potential harm caused, especially near residential areas. He ordered this eight-month term to run consecutively with a two-week term from the other charges.

The judge concluded that the imposed jail term was about six times longer than what Ho would have faced for only driving without a licence and insurance, emphasizing that punishment for such recalcitrant and dangerous offenders must "far exceeds" that which they would suffer had they simply complied with police instructions.

Worsening Traffic Situation

The case comes against a backdrop of worsening traffic conditions, with the Traffic Police (TP) noting in February 2025 a "lack of regard for rules among motorists." TP data showed the number of people killed and injured in traffic accidents hit a five-year high in 2024, with speeding contributing to one in three fatal crashes.

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Location: Singapore

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