Road rage father to serve community
An angry driver who raced against a truck loaded with liquefied petroleum gas despite having his children and pregnant wife on board was ordered yesterday to perform 240 hours of community service.
Chiu Pui-yin, 45, a professional driver, had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Kowloon Court.
Deputy Magistrate Ko Wai-hung said a short jail term would have been appropriate, given that the traffic was busy and any accident could have been disastrous.
But in view of Chiu's guilty plea and because he had been remanded in custody for two weeks, Ko sentenced Chiu to a maximum of 240 hours of community service and revoked his driving licence for a year.
Chiu must complete a driving improvement course at his own expense if he wants to drive again.
The daytime incident along Pui Ching Road in Ho Man Tin district on September 7 drew the attention of the traffic police.
A probe ensued after the media reported on a popular video, titled 'Two crazy drivers in Hong Kong', which was widely circulated online in September.
The court heard that Chiu had chased the truck after he was forced to an abrupt halt when the truck overtook his car.
He wanted to stop the truck driver to express his anger. His sons, aged one and six, and his pregnant wife who was due to give birth in April, were on board.
'Worrying about the safety of the passengers in your car is not a good reason for losing your mind,' Ko said.
'Your dangerous driving put your family in danger.'
The video showed Chiu's car, a seven-seater, zigzagging before it overtook the truck. Chiu then left his car and tried to open the door of the truck driver, who reversed his vehicle and drove off.
Wong Man-hung, 22, the truck driver, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving. He will appear in court on January 19 for a pre-trial review.
