By Desmond Ng

THE judge called him an incorrigible, habitual, high-risk driver with a blatant disregard of the law.

His long list of traffic offences dates back to 1979 when he was just 19 years old.

Ng Peng Han, now 49, has been in and out of jail since then for offences like driving without a licence, driving while under disqualification and speeding.

He has been in jail at least five times for his road offences.

Last month, Ng found himself in court again. This time, this serial traffic offender was charged with driving while under disqualification from driving for life, and also for using a handphone while driving.

He was sentenced to four years' jail, fined $800 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for all classes for life.

His handphone was also forfeited.

Two other charges of using a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, and using a motor vehicle without the requisite insurance policy were taken into consideration.

He's appealing

Ng is appealing against the sentence.

The offence occurred on Balestier Road in May last year. Traffic Police officer Sergeant Thabagesh Jeyathesh, while patrolling the road, saw Ng holding a mobile phone in his left hand to his left ear, while his right hand was on the steering wheel.

Sgt Thabagesh stopped the car, and on checking with the Traffic Operations Command Centre, discovered that Ng had been disqualified from driving.

He then arrested him for driving while under disqualification.

In May 2003, Ng had been disqualified by the Subordinate Courts from holding or obtaining a driving licence for life.

In mitigation, Ng's lawyer, Mr Lim Swee Tee, argued that his client was remorseful and had learnt his lesson. He asked for leniency as there was no accident, injury to anyone or damage to property in this case.

Ng, who is divorced, provides maintenance for his three children aged 18, 10 and 9. He works as a security officer at Turf City.

Ng claimed that on 15 May 2008, he had made arrangements with a property agent to view a private apartment on Petain Road.

He said he suddenly received a phone call asking him to be at the place at 3.30pm.

He said he was living far away and was afraid that he might be late, so he took his girlfriend's car without her consent and drove it. But on his way there, he was checked and arrested by the police.

'Irresponsible'

In sentencing, District Judge Salina Ishak said that the irresponsible motorist who has been disqualified but continues to drive in blatant disregard of the law can expect to face the full force of the law and receive enhanced jail sentences.

She said: 'Driving while under disqualification is about as serious an offence as a motorist can commit.

'Not only does it compromise the safety of our roads; it also creates problems in ensuring adequate compensation for luckless victims.'

In this case, Ng's act not only caused insurance difficulties, but also showed contempt for his previous sentences.

She added: 'Nothing in the plea in mitigation showed that there was any critical need to drive the vehicle - for example, there was no immediate emergency to be attended to, nor was there an instance where no other forms of transport were available.'

She said a stern sentence on Ng as well as other like-minded potential offenders will deter them from re-offending.

And it's also a message that the court adopts a zero tolerance approach towards acts which constitute offences against public safety.

She said: 'To my mind, the accused (Ng) is clearly an incorrigible, habitual, high-risk driver who shows a blatant disregard of the law and of the courts, despite repeated prosecutions and convictions.'

JUNE 1979: 6 OFFENCES

• Driving with an expired driving licence: $100 fine
• Driving a vehicle without lawful authority: $150 fine
• Using vehicle without requisite insurance coverage: $150 fine and three years disqualification for all classes
• Speeding: $70 fine
• Taking/Driving a vehicle without lawful authority: $150 fine
• Driving with an expired driving licence: $100 fine

DEC 1981: 3 OFFENCES

• Driving a vehicle without lawful authority: $100 fine
• Using vehicle without requisite insurance coverage: $150 fine and six years disqualification for all classes
• Driving whilst under disqualification: One day jail and $800 fine

MAR 1992: 3 OFFENCES

• Driving without a licence: $300 fine
• Using vehicle without requisite insurance coverage: $500 fine and three years' disqualification for all classes
• Speeding: $500 fine;

OCT 1993: 3 OFFENCES

• Using vehicle without requisite insurance coverage: $800 fine and one year disqualification for all classes
• Driving whilst under disqualification: Six weeks' jail and six years' disqualification for all classes
• Driving without a licence: $800 fine and two years disqualification for all classes

MAY 2003: 3 OFFENCES

• Driving whilst under disqualification: Two years' jail and disqualification for life all classes
• Using vehicle without requisite insurance coverage: One month imprisonment and disqualification for life for all classes
• Failing to wear a seat belt: $1,000 fine

This article was first published in The New Paper.