Former actor Edmund Chen jailed and banned from driving over expressway collision

SINGAPORE: Former local actor Edmund Chen was sentenced to five days’ jail and banned from driving for five years on 29 January, 2026, after his driving led to a motorcyclist sustaining multiple fractures.

District Judge Shawn Ho imposed a custodial sentence, rejecting calls by both the prosecution and defence for a fine.

According to the court, Chen showed a “high degree of carelessness” and a sustained period of inattention. Judge Ho said Chen was “deliberately cavalier about certain mitigable risks” while driving.

Chen, whose name in court papers is Tan Kai Yuan, pleaded guilty to one count of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users, resulting in grievous hurt, according to local media reports.

The incident occurred at about noon on 4 March, 2025, along the Ayer Rajah Expressway. Chen, then 63, was driving towards the Central Expressway on a four-lane stretch of road.

As he approached a split where two lanes led to Keppel Road and two towards the CTE-Seletar Expressway, Chen was travelling in lane four. He intended to head towards the CTE-Seletar Expressway.

The court heard that Chen did not move into the correct lanes in time. By the point he realised his error, his vehicle was already directed towards the Keppel Road exit.

He then attempted to enter the second lane by braking abruptly. His car slowed sharply and almost came to a complete stop on the expressway.

A 21-year-old motorcyclist travelling behind Chen in lane four was unable to swerve in time. He collided with the rear left portion of Chen’s car.

At the moment of impact, Chen was filtering across the third lane and over white chevron markings. This manoeuvre breached traffic regulations, the court was told.

The prosecution played video footage from the rear of Chen’s car and from his in-car camera. The recordings captured Chen reacting audibly when the collision occurred.

Following the crash, Chen stopped his vehicle and rendered assistance. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital for treatment.

The collision damaged the motorcycle’s front headlamp, which was dislodged and cracked. Scratches were also observed on the right side of the motorcycle.

The motorcyclist suffered fractures to his right hand and wrist. He underwent surgery and was placed on 99 days of hospitalisation leave, but sustained no permanent injury.

Chen was represented by lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong of Invictus Law. He was allowed to remain seated during sentencing submissions by both sides.

The defence sought a fine of no more than S$3,000 and a driving disqualification of up to five years. Counsel argued that Chen was not speeding and had signalled early.

Tan described the incident as a “momentary lapse of judgment”, adding that Chen stopped immediately, assisted the victim, and cooperated fully with authorities.

The lawyer also told the court that Chen’s last driving conviction dated back to October 2013. He said Chen had suffered reputational harm and lost work opportunities since being charged.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephen Yeo sought a higher fine of between S$3,000 and S$5,000, along with a five-year driving ban. He noted the seriousness of the victim’s injuries.

After deliberating for more than 30 minutes, Judge Ho rejected the position of both parties. He said Chen’s conduct involved intentional violations of safety rules.

The judge added that the risks were clearly avoidable. He said Chen could have exited at the next opportunity instead of forcing a dangerous manoeuvre.

Chen was granted a deferment of his sentence to March, allowing him to observe Chinese New Year and settle work and family matters.

For the offence, Chen could have faced up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.