Overview

• 55-year-old Chinese national Lai Daohong appeared in court today facing charges of colliding with a structure and driving an overheight vehicle without a police escort
• The November 8, 2024 crash at the Cairnhill Road slip road saw the lorry’s raised crane boom strike the tunnel’s height limiter and mechanical units
• Damage to the Central Expressway tunnel’s barrier and electrical systems was estimated at about S$1.4 million, prompting an extended slip road closure
• Authorities classified this as Lai’s second offence for both height infringement and structural collision, exposing him to two–five years’ jail and fines up to S$5,000
• Traffic Police urged drivers to plan routes around height restrictions and warned of firm action to safeguard road infrastructure and public safety