FIRST-TIME offenders could end up in jail instead of just being fined if they are convicted of dangerous driving or riding.

District Judge Salina Ishak gave notice of the stricter sentencing on Monday when she jailed a driver and a motorcyclist - both first-time offenders - who were found guilty of dangerous driving and riding.

She said this is to send a strong signal to reckless drivers, in the waking of the rising traffic casualties from dangerous driving.

Tan Ser Tong, 55, who had previous traffic offences, was jailed for 1 1/2 years and disqualified from driving for three years on Monday, after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to render aid to the injured victim.

A third charge of driving under the influence of drugs was considered by the judge in sentencing.

Also on Monday, motorcyclist Edmond Lee Shi Leong, 28, was found guilty after a trial and jailed three weeks for beating a red light, which resulted in him and his pillion rider being injured.

In addition to the three weeks' jail term, he was banned from driving all vehicles for a year.

Lee's lawyer, Mr M. Nedumaran said that his client was appealing against the conviction and sentence.

Tan's lawyer, Mr Kelvin Lim, said that his client was shocked by the sentence and is considering an appeal.

On July 15, 2006, Tan, a contractor, was caught driving in a zigzag manner along Sixth Avenue towards Holland Road. At the junction of Sixth Avenue and Namly Crescent, he drove across the centre divider and collided with an on-coming car.

He continued driving against the flow of the traffic and smashed head-on into another car.

Only then did Tan stop his car. He did not give any help to the second motorist who was injured. Tan?s car and the second car burst into flames soon after.

Said Judge Ishak: 'In my mind, it was only fortuitous that the injuries suffered by those involved were not fatal.'

Tan had been fined and disqualified in 2002 for driving without due care and consideration, failing to stop and not rendering assistance after an accident, and in 2005 for drink-driving.

In sentencing Lee, the judge quoted The Straits Times, which had reported that 24,267 summonses were issued against drivers beating the red light last year - an increase of 86 per cent over 2006.

Road accidents killed and injured 10,561 people last year, 665 more than the previous year.