Tan Yew Chou: An 83-year-old man cops hefty fine for reckless driving on Albany Highway recorded by witnesses

An 83-year-old man who was recorded dangerously overtaking and swerving on blind corners was given a hefty fine and had his licence disqualified. Tan Yew Chou appeared in Narrogin Magistrates Court last Tuesday charged with one count of reckless driving. Prosecutor Sgt Natalie Parkyn told the court Chou had driven over double white lines when overtaking a car on Albany Highway in Williams on September 4. He was also seen swerving over road lines on several blind corners. Sgt Parkyn said members of the public had recorded Chou’s dangerous driving on their phones and alerted police. She said Chou had made full admissions of the offending to police when he was pulled over shortly after. Self-represented, Chou said he should not be punished because he was overtaking a slow car that he had been stuck behind for 20km. He said he cannot be fined due to the expense of his recent international move to Australia. Despite admitting to driving over double white lines, he pleaded not guilty to the offence because he believed he should be allowed to overtake a slow car at any point on the road. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell told Chou that he cannot do that on double white lines and he should just be patient. Ms O’Donnell said the offence was not the minor issue Chou seemed to consider it. She said his reckless driving went on for an extended period and he had crossed road lines several times, making other motorists so concerned they felt compelled to film it and call the police. “You should know better at your age,” she said. Chou changed his plea to guilty after an intense discussion with the magistrate. Chou was fined $2700 with costs of $160 and had his licence disqualified for six months.