MOTORCYCLE ROAD ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

MOTORCYCLE ROAD ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

2.

Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what steps are being taken to curb the increasing numbers of motorcycle road accidents and deaths; and (b) whether there can be greater enhancement of the rider education programme, fine-tuning of our road and traffic infrastructure and greater regulation of motorcycle equipment and accessories to ensure only the safest and approved gadgets are sold to consumers.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable group of road users, accounting for more than 40% of all road fatalities over the past five years. Therefore, Traffic Police (TP) continues to accord high priority and takes a comprehensive approach to enhance the safety of this particular group of road users.

Column: 1457

Rider safety education

One of our key efforts is to inculcate a road safety mindset among motorcyclists. For example, learner motorcyclists are taught not to ride in between lanes or weave through traffic. They are also given lessons on carrying pillion riders, night riding and emergency braking on wet road surfaces, to ensure their competence in handling their motorcycles on the roads.

Traffic Police has an ongoing educational programme for motorcyclists. Working closely with motorcycle clubs associated with the Singapore Bikers Forum, road safety talks are given to motorcyclists who are studying in ITEs and polytechnics under the "road safety education for motorcyclists by motorcyclists" programme.

In addition, during the Global Road Safety Week in April 2007, Traffic Police launched a new Road Safety talk package for riders, developed in collaboration with motorcycle clubs. A new poster featuring the consequences of motorcycle accidents has also been designed and displayed at motorcycle shops where many young riders shop for accessories.

Traffic Police is working closely with the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) to jointly organise a road safety programme designed specifically for motorcyclists in September 2007 where motorcyclists from various motorcycle clubs will pick up advanced riding tips from senior instructors at Bukit Batok Driving Centre. Traffic Police also engages motorcycle clubs, tertiary institutions and companies employing delivery riders to disseminate road safety messages that emphasise the importance of wearing helmets.

Motorcycle Task Force at Traffic Police

Traffic Police has also set up a Motorcycle Task Force to study the causes of the high accident rates involving motorcyclists and recommend measures to enhance motorcyclist safety and lower the accident rate among motorcyclists. For example, motorcyclists who are not properly attired (eg, those wearing shorts and slippers) are regularly pulled over and advised by Traffic Police officers on the importance of wearing proper attire (eg, gloves, jackets, etc), so as to reduce the severity of injuries in the event of accidents.

Ensuring riders use proper helmets

To ensure that motorcyclists wear proper protective helmets that are of the approved type, Traffic Police constantly reminds owners of motorcycle accessory shops that it is an offence to sell helmets that are not approved.

Improving road engineering

Traffic Police also works closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to identify road engineering hazards and the appropriate remedial measures at various motorcyclist fatal accident locations. Warning signs at such locations have also been put up to warn the riders.

Column: 1459

Ensuring vehicle safety standards

On vehicle standards, the Land Transport Authority has in place legislation to require all motor vehicles to meet vehicle technical requirements and international safety standards before they can be registered for use on our roads. Motorcycles are also subjected to mandatory vehicle inspections annually when they are more than three years old. In between the periodic vehicle inspections, Land Transport Authority enforcement officers and Traffic Police conduct regular blitzes against modified motorcycles or motorcycles that are not roadworthy.

Motorcyclists and other motorists need to play their part

While Traffic Police and other authorities continue to run programmes to raise the level of safety for motorcyclists, riders should recognise their own vulnerability and be alert and cautious on the roads at all times. Other motorists also need to play their part in ensuring a safer road environment for all. They can do this by keeping a lookout and paying special attention to vulnerable groups of road users such as motorcyclists.

Most road accidents can be prevented if road users adopt a safety conscious mindset and ride or drive carefully. Therefore, all road users should work together with the authorities so that all users will enjoy safe and pleasant journeys on our roads.