Motorist claims trial to driving against traffic flow

JOHOR BARU: A 26-year-old food seller has been charged at the Magistrate’s Court here with driving recklessly against the flow of traffic.

S. Thaanesh pleaded not guilty to the charge of driving a car recklessly against traffic along KM4 Jalan Gelang Patah-Ulu Choh here at around 9am on May 9.

The offence was framed under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, punishable with a sentence of five to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM5,000 to RM15,000 upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Amirah Tasnim Saleh offered bail at RM15,000 with one surety and asked for additional conditions on Thaanesh such as reporting to the police station monthly, surrendering his passport to the court and suspension of his driving licence.

Thaanesh’s lawyer S. Selvanteran asked for lower bail, saying that the accused has to care for his mother, a single parent who had suffered a stroke and has heart problems.

Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid allowed bail at RM6,000 with one surety and imposed the additional conditions requested by the DPP.

The court also set June 20 for next mention and submission of documents.

Previously, a video of a red car wedged between two lorries made the rounds on social media.

Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan reportedly said the 26-year-old driver was believed to have entered the wrong lane while on his way to a petrol station nearby.

He added that the driver had driven against traffic for 500m before getting trapped between the two heavy vehicles.