DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS OVERSEAS

DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS OVERSEAS:

(Educating Singapore drivers on safety measure): 25.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether his Ministry has any plans to educate Singapore drivers on safety measures to adopt when driving along major highways overseas; and (b) whether defensive driving is included in the syllabus for learner drivers before qualifying for a driver's licence.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, over the years, Traffic Police has worked with the Automobile Association of Singapore (or AA for short) to provide advisories on the potential dangers of driving overseas. For example, as many Singaporeans drive in Malaysia, AA has worked with its counterpart in Malay-

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sia to produce a brochure entitled "Drive Safely in Malaysia". The brochure contains useful safety tips including a checklist on preparing for long distance driving, what the speed limits are, procedures for over-taking on the highways, as well as the things to look out for while driving at night. As for other countries, drivers can find safety guidelines and useful tips on driving overseas online at the AA website.

On their part, Singaporeans should take a practical and common sense approach when driving overseas. Hence, they should familiarise themselves with the traffic rules, speed limits, road signs, road and weather conditions as well as the driving customs and practices of a country they intend to drive in. For example, in some countries, as your vehicle gets to the top of a hill, we should watch out for the "wind-shear factor". Indeed, in countries like the US, vehicles drive on the "right", which in our context is the "wrong" side of the road! A particular danger which arises from driving on highways is fatigue, something which drivers here do not have to contend with, which can cause a loss of concentration and even falling asleep at the wheel. Also, less experienced drivers should as far as possible be supervised by more experienced drivers in case they encounter an emergency situation or, worse, be tempted to take unnecessary risks.

As for defensive driving skills, ie, driving in such a way as to anticipate dangerous situations and knowing how to take evasive action, let me assure Mdm Cynthia Phua that elements of defensive driving are included in the theory and practical components of our driver training and testing curriculum. Some of the defensive skills taught to drivers include over-taking safely, keeping a safe distance and scanning for possible dangers.

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3.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No. 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos. 27-33 and 35 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix*. Question Nos. 26 and 34 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 22nd April 2008 .]

*Cols. 2605-2618.