SINGAPORE: A man was jailed for a week on Tuesday (Sep 19) for throwing a metal jar lid towards the vehicles in front of him, after getting frustrated with the traffic congestion along the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).

The lid struck the rear windscreen of the car in front of him, chipping it and costing the driver S$581 (US$425) in repairs.

Low Wing Soon Vincent, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of committing a rash act endangering the personal safety of others. A second charge of mischief was considered in sentencing.

The court heard that Low was driving along the KPE towards the East Coast Parkway (ECP) at 2.20pm on Mar 24 this year. He was driving on the fourth lane, intending to exit to ECP.

At the time, there was a traffic jam at the two exit lanes towards ECP. Frustrated with the jam, Low found a metal jar lid in his car and decided to throw it.

He wound down his window, stuck out his arm and threw the lid towards the vehicles ahead of him.

The lid struck the rear windscreen of the car in front of him, which was driven by a 40-year-old man. The victim heard a loud sound but did not stop to check.

After throwing the lid, Low filtered out of his lane and quickly drove away.

The victim later checked his in-car camera footage, which showed Low's outstretched hand, as well as the lid before it hit the windscreen.

He lodged a police report and Low was identified. He made full restitution to the victim, but the lid was not recovered, the prosecutor said.

He asked for a short jail term, leaving the length of the sentence to the court. He said Low had past convictions for drink driving and a rash act.

In one of the past convictions, he shoplifted and turned aggressive when caught, and then "threw the store item around", said the prosecutor.

In this case, the offence was committed on a road in heavy traffic and the potential harm was high, he said.

The lid could have damaged other vehicles, or worse, hit a passing motorcyclist.

"There was absolutely no reason for him to do what he did. Traffic congestion is an everyday occurrence for most motorists, and like-minded offenders must be deterred from venting their frustrations in such a manner," said the prosecutor.

In mitigation, Low, who was unrepresented, said: "I did throw (the lid) in the spur of the moment because of a bad day. And I really regretted it."

For a rash act endangering persona...