Stafford v Goo Tong Sing: Negligence, Contributory Negligence & Motor Vehicle Accident

In Stafford Rosemary Anne Jane (administratrix of the estate of Stafford Anthony John, deceased) v Goo Tong Sing and SBS Transit Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard a case arising from a fatal road accident. The plaintiff, representing the deceased motorcyclist, sued Goo Tong Sing, the bus driver, and SBS Transit Ltd, his employer, for negligence. The court, presided over by Justice Kan Ting Chiu, found the bus driver wholly liable for the accident, rejecting claims of contributory negligence on the part of the deceased. Interlocutory judgment was entered against SBS Transit Ltd, with damages to be assessed.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Interlocutory judgment entered against the second defendant, with damages to be assessed by the Registrar.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment reserved

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Motorcyclist Stafford died in a collision with a bus driven by Goo Tong Sing. The court found the bus driver negligent and the motorcyclist not contributorily negligent.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
SBS Transit LtdDefendantCorporationJudgment against DefendantLost
Stafford Rosemary Anne JanePlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWon
Goo Tong SingDefendantIndividualJudgment against DefendantLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Kan Ting ChiuJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Anthony WeeRajah & Tann
Sharmini SelvaratnamHarry Elias Partnership
Lynette Chew Mei LinHarry Elias Partnership

4. Facts

  1. A motorcycle and a bus collided at the intersection of Clementi Road and Commonwealth Avenue West.
  2. The accident occurred on 12 January 2002 at approximately 8:09 PM.
  3. The motorcyclist, Anthony John Stafford, died from injuries sustained in the accident.
  4. The bus driver, Goo Tong Sing, was making a right turn at the intersection.
  5. The bus driver pleaded guilty in criminal court to causing death by a negligent act.
  6. The deceased had a blood alcohol concentration of 68mg/100ml.
  7. An eyewitness, Low Chong Eng, testified that the traffic lights were green for traffic along Clementi Road when the bus turned.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Stafford Rosemary Anne Jane (administratrix of the estate of Stafford Anthony John, deceased) v Goo Tong Sing and Another, Suit 430/2004, [2006] SGHC 77

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accident occurred
Lawsuit filed
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Negligence
    • Outcome: The court found the bus driver negligent in causing the accident.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Contributory Negligence
    • Outcome: The court found that the deceased was not contributorily negligent.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Driving Under the Influence
    • Outcome: The court found that the deceased's blood alcohol concentration did not prove unfitness to drive.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence

10. Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury
  • Civil Litigation

11. Industries

  • Transportation

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Ong Bee Nah v Wong Siew WanHigh CourtYes[2005] 2 SLR 455SingaporeCited regarding the duty of a driver approaching a junction with traffic lights in their favor.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Section 67 Road Traffic ActSingapore
Section 304A Penal CodeSingapore
Section 45A(1) Evidence ActSingapore
Sections 17(1) and 18(1) of the Evidence ActSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Negligence
  • Contributory negligence
  • Road traffic accident
  • Blood alcohol concentration
  • Traffic lights
  • Intersection
  • Motorcycle
  • Bus

15.2 Keywords

  • negligence
  • contributory negligence
  • motorcycle accident
  • bus accident
  • traffic lights
  • blood alcohol
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Road Traffic Act90
Road Traffic Accident Law85
Negligence80
Automobile Accidents75
Contributory negligence70
Personal Injury70
Evidence Law40
Criminal Law30
Contract Law10

16. Subjects

  • Tort Law
  • Traffic Law
  • Civil Litigation