Rider stops vehicle along PIE after altercation & claims to be military police
UPDATE (2 April, 8.10pm): The Singapore Army has confirmed that the motorcyclist is not from the SAF Military Police Command.
The motorcyclist, who is an Operationally-Ready National Serviceman (NSman), was also not serving his In-Camp Training at the time of the incident.
“Impersonation of SAF personnel is a serious offence, and offenders will be liable for prosecution,” it said.
In a subsequent statement to the media, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) shared that the Singapore Army has filed a police report regarding the incident. You may read the full statement below.
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On Thursday (28 March), the SG Road Vigilante – SGRV Facebook page posted a video of an argument between a driver and a motorcyclist along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE).
The clip shows the rider stopping in front of the driver mid-traffic and approaching the driver’s window.
They then argue over whether the driver signalled before he switched lanes, with the rider attempting to use his alleged authority as part of the “military police” to threaten the driver.
Many netizens called out both the driver for his failure to signal appropriately before switching lanes and the motorcyclist for the misuse of his alleged authority and stopping traffic.
Rider claims to be military police
According to SGRV, the incident occurred along the PIE at 5.34pm.
In the video, the rider is seen merging into the rightmost lane in front of the dashcam vehicle and raising his hand, indicating for the driver to stop.
Source: SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook
The rider, who appears to be clad in a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) uniform, then dismounts from his motorcycle and approaches the driver’s window.
Source: SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook
At this point, the driver is heard asking the rider why he pointed his middle finger at him.
The rider then asks: “Are you trying to cause an accident?”
In response, the driver states that he had signalled beforehand.
Seemingly agitated, the rider then claims that he is from the military police command and he could impound the vehicle.
Unfazed by this, the driver urges the rider to call the police.
After yelling at the driver, the rider stares the driver down as he walks back to his motorcycle and rides away.
Source: SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook
Driver had attempted to switch lanes earlier
In the next clip, footage shows the moments before the altercation between the driver and the rider.
The driver is seen switching lanes.
However, as he does so, he seems unaware of the motorcycle riding closely behind him.
Source: SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook
It is unclear from the recording whether the driver truly signalled before switching lanes.
Netizens call out both driver & rider
Many users left comments criticising the rider’s alleged misuse of authority.
Source: Facebook
On the other hand, some called out the driver for failing to check his surroundings before switching lanes.
Overall, many Facebook users agreed that the altercation could have put a lot of road users in danger.
Source: Facebook
Singapore Army files police report over incident
In response to media queries regarding the altercation involving an SAF uniformed personnel on the PIE, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Tuesday (2 April):
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is aware of the matter, and the Singapore Army has made a police report.
He is not a regular serviceman nor from the SAF Military Police Command. He was not on any Operationally-Ready National Serviceman duties at the time of the incident.
As the matter is under investigation, the SAF is unable to comment further on this issue at this juncture.
Also read: Car hits motorcyclist in Choa Chu Kang after trying to switch lanes
Car hits motorcyclist in Choa Chu Kang after trying to switch lanes
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Featured image adapted from SG Road Vigilante – SGRV on Facebook.
