Cabby who reversed into car was in 'distress', had exited taxi to 'check on' other party: ComfortDelGro

Transport operator ComfortDelGro has responded to a Stomp query about an incident where a taxi driver was caught on camera reversing into a stationary car at a traffic light.

It was earlier reported that the incident took place on Nov 17 at around 7.34pm.

A video posted on ROADS.sg shows how the taxi reversed into the car, leading two of the taxi’s passengers and the car’s female driver to exit their vehicles.

A caption accompanying the video also alleged: “SHD3088L [has] no good reason to reverse and knock into cam car at a traffic light. Passengers of this taxi came out to defend driver and demanded lady driver for compensation.”

In response to media queries by Stomp, ComfortDelgro said that it launched an immediate investigation upon learning about the incident.

Ms Tammy Tan, ComfortDelGro’s group corporate communications officer, told Stomp in a statement: “Deliberate acts of mischief are not tolerated and we are always prepared to take stern action against such culprits.

“In this case, we learnt, and verified, that the cabby, who was with his family at that moment, had just been told that a close family member was terminally ill.

“His mother, who was in the car with him, was very distraught and when the taxi pulled up at the traffic junction, our cabby reached over to console his mother, thinking that he had engaged the gear into the brake position.

“He hadn’t and as he leaned over, the taxi started sliding backwards slowly. In his distress, he did not notice that this was happening until the cab reversed into the car behind.

“When it did, he immediately stopped the cab and got out to check on the occupants of the other vehicle. Thankfully, no one was injured.

“Our cabby is deeply apologetic about the incident and has assured us that he will not drive when he is not in the right frame of mind.

“Separately, we would like to convey our deepest apologies to the vehicle owner for the distress that this incident had caused her. If she can get in touch with us, we would like to enquire on her well-being.”