Ma Zhen Hu Michael v Public Prosecutor: Dangerous Driving and Disqualification Order

Michael Ma Zhen Hu appealed to the General Division of the High Court of Singapore against the disqualification order imposed by the District Judge for dangerous driving. The High Court, presided over by Justice Vincent Hoong, dismissed the appeal, holding that the 15-month disqualification order was not manifestly excessive, given the appellant's disregard for traffic rules and poor driving record. The appellant was originally charged under s 64(1) of the Road Traffic Act.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Ex Tempore Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Michael Ma Zhen Hu appealed against a 15-month disqualification order for dangerous driving. The High Court dismissed the appeal, finding the disqualification order was not manifestly excessive.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorRespondentGovernment AgencyAppeal DismissedWon
Claire Poh of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Edwin Ho of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Michael Ma Zhen HuAppellantIndividualAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Vincent HoongJudge of the High CourtYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Claire PohAttorney-General’s Chambers
Edwin HoAttorney-General’s Chambers
Kanthosamy RajendranRLC Law Corporation
Jeyabal AthavanRLC Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The Appellant pleaded guilty to dangerous driving under s 64(1) of the Road Traffic Act.
  2. The Appellant reversed his car against the flow of traffic for 50 meters to avoid a roadblock.
  3. Two Traffic Police officers chased after the Appellant while he was reversing.
  4. A driver had to swerve to avoid a collision with the Appellant’s car.
  5. The Appellant had a history of traffic violations, including drink driving and red-light offenses.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Ma Zhen Hu Michael v Public Prosecutor, Magistrate’s Appeal No 9038 of 2023, [2023] SGHC 251
  2. Kwan Weiguang v Public Prosecutor, , [2022] 5 SLR 766
  3. Neo Chuan Sheng v Public Prosecutor, , [2020] 5 SLR 410

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Appellant drove dangerously
Disqualification order took effect
Judgment delivered

7. Legal Issues

  1. Appropriateness of Disqualification Order
    • Outcome: The court held that the 15-month disqualification order was not manifestly excessive.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2022] 5 SLR 766
      • [2020] 5 SLR 410

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Appeal against disqualification order

9. Cause of Actions

  • Dangerous Driving

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law
  • Traffic Law
  • Appeals

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Kwan Weiguang v Public ProsecutorHigh CourtYes[2022] 5 SLR 766SingaporeEstablished the sentencing parameters for disqualification orders under s 64(2C)(a) of the Road Traffic Act.
Neo Chuan Sheng v Public ProsecutorHigh CourtYes[2020] 5 SLR 410SingaporeCompared the facts of the present case with Neo to determine if the disqualification order was manifestly excessive.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Road Traffic Act (Cap 276, 2004 Rev Ed)Singapore
s 64(1) of the Road Traffic ActSingapore
s 64(2C)(a) of the Road Traffic ActSingapore
s 139AA of the Road Traffic ActSingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Dangerous driving
  • Disqualification order
  • Roadblock
  • Traffic violations
  • Sentencing parameters

15.2 Keywords

  • dangerous driving
  • disqualification order
  • road traffic act
  • traffic violations
  • sentencing
  • appeal

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Traffic Violations95
Road Traffic Act90
Dangerous Driving85
Sentencing Principles75
Criminal Law70
Criminal Procedure60

16. Subjects

  • Road Traffic Offences
  • Sentencing Principles