Elderly Man Blames Headache for Driving School Van Against Traffic on Penang Road, Gets Arrested

Dashcam footage recorded on a road in Butterworth, Penang, went viral recently, including this post on the Traffic Info Crew Facebook page, showing a school van coming seemingly out of nowhere and dangerously driving against traffic.

Thankfully, as seen in the video, a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) patrol vehicle intervened, with police personnel manning traffic so that no unwanted incident would take place.

Elderly man blames headache for driving school van against traffic

PDRM has since given an update about the viral incident, saying that it took place on the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) yesterday (8 April) at around 1pm.

Moreover, Seberang Perai Utara District Police Chief ACP Anuar Abdul Rahman was quoted by Harian Metro as saying that the school van was stopped by the police patrol vehicle that happened to be passing through the area during the incident.

He added that the driver was a man in his 70s who claimed to have experienced a headache while driving and took a wrong turn.

Anuar asserted,

“The driver then unknowingly continued his journey by driving against traffic on BORR until he was stopped by the police near Kampung Teluk, Sungai Dua,”

The elderly man was arrested by PDRM for dangerous driving

PDRM confirmed that no injuries or accidents took place as a result of the incident and that the school van wasn’t carrying any passengers.

Furthermore, the elderly man was arrested and brought to the traffic enforcement department for further action.

The case is currently being investigated under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

If convicted, the perpetrator may face jail for up to 5 years and a fine between RM5,000 and RM15,000.

So, what do you guys think of the viral incident? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. 

Also read: 17yo M’sian Student Rides Against Traffic to Evade Roadblock in Shah Alam, Gets Run Over by a Pickup Truck