A rental GetGo car travelling towards the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) tunnel in the direction of the city crashed into the wall after the hood of the car’s bonnet suddenly flipped open, presumably blocking the driver’s view. The incident occurred on 1 September at around 8:30 pm and was captured on a dashboard camera of a fellow road user.
Background
The footage of the incident shows the GetGo car, a Ssangyong Tivoli, entering the tunnel when its hood abruptly opened and remained upright. The brake lights of the car flashed quickly and intermittently as the driver attempted to stop the vehicle. Within seconds, the car decelerated and veered right, colliding with the tunnel wall. Fortunately, the driver behind managed to slow down and overtake safely from the left.
GetGo response
In response to queries, a GetGo spokesperson confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that a thorough investigation had been conducted. “Based on our findings after the inspection, we would like to share that there were no faults with the vehicle,” the spokesperson said. The vehicle was assessed by GetGo’s workshop partner, who confirmed that there were no issues with the front bonnet and bonnet latch. The spokesperson explained that the SsangYong Tivoli has a manual front bonnet latch, which requires the driver to trigger the ejection from inside the vehicle and press up on the latch to open the hood. “There are many scenarios where the ejection may be unintentionally triggered, leaving the front bonnet partially opened. Combined with external factors such as wind speed and air pressure, this has the potential to cause the bonnet to open during driving,” the spokesperson added. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained during the incident, although the extent of the vehicle’s damage was not disclosed.
Collision damage waiver (CDW)
The insurance excess for GetGo drivers, which is the amount payable out of pocket in the event of an accident, ranges from S$3,300 to S$16,500, depending on the cause of the accident, the driver’s experience, and the type of vehicle used. This excess is halved if the driver opts for a collision damage waiver (CDW), an additional insurance coverage that reduces the insurance excess in the event of an accident. Drivers who choose CDW will be charged an additional 5 per cent of their total booking charge.
Safety measures and future implications
This incident highlights the importance of ensuring all vehicle components are securely fastened before driving, especially in rental cars where multiple users may handle the vehicle. GetGo has reiterated the need for drivers to double-check the bonnet latch and other critical parts before starting their journey. Moving forward, rental companies might consider implementing additional checks or providing more detailed instructions to users to prevent similar incidents. This event also underscores the potential hazards of driving in tunnels, where visibility and space are limited, making it crucial for drivers to remain vigilant and prepared for unexpected situations.
