ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLISTS, BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORCYCLISTS, BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS

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Ms Ellen Lee asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs in view of the increase in the number of vehicles and fatal accident cases (a) what is the number of accidents involving bicyclists and motorcyclists for 2006; (b) how many of the motorcyclists in these accidents were newly qualified; (c) what measures have the Traffic Police taken against these motorcyclists apart from prosecution, composition fines and demerit points; (d) how many licences have been revoked and reinstated in 2006; (e) what is the number of accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists in 2006; (f) what actions have been taken against the bicyclists and errant pedestrians; and (g) what measures have the Traffic Police taken to protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Motorcyclists

In 2006, there were 4,300 accidents(4) involving motorcyclists of which 740 accidents(5) or 17% involved motorcyclists who were newly qualified and still on the 12-month probation period after obtaining their licence. Motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable group of road users, accounting for 48%(6), or almost half, of all road fatalities in 2006. The main cause of these accidents is speeding.

44 motorcyclist licences were revoked on medical grounds and under the New Driver Rules. In addition, 10 licences were suspended under the Driver Improvement Point System (DIPs) for 12 months or more and 1,050 motorcyclist licences were disqualified by the Courts for 12 months or more.

A licence revoked on medical grounds will be reinstated if the licence holder produces a medical certificate to prove his fitness or ability to drive. Last year, no licence revoked on medical grounds was reinstated by Traffic Police. The period of revocation under the new driver rules is one year, after which the person has to pass the prescribed tests of competency, both theory and practical, to obtain a new licence.

Besides enforcement, Traffic Police mounts public education programmes that target motorcyclists. Indeed, TP plans to do more to instil greater road safety awareness in newly-qualified motorcyclists. In April this year, TP will present a new Road Safety package for riders developed in collaboration with motorcycle clubs associated with the

Column: 2015

Singapore Bikers Forum at the Global Road Safety Week launch. Adopting the approach of "road safety education for motorcyclists by motorcyclists", TP will work closely with them to give road safety talks to students in ITEs and polytechnics.

Cyclists

As for cyclists and pedestrians, two other vulnerable groups of road users, last year, there were 510 accidents(7) involving cyclists. 480 summonses were issued, of which 210 summonses or 43%(8) were for failing to ride in an orderly manner. For cases where cyclists have knocked into pedestrians, especially on pavements, investigation will be carried out under the Penal Code for offences of rash or negligent act or causing hurt by rash or negligent act.

Traffic Police has introduced several safety education measures for cyclists. These include a Bicycle Training Course at South West CDC's Community Resilience Carnival in February last year which imparted safe cycling knowledge through practical training to some 1,000 participants.

Pedestrians

As for pedestrians, there were 910 accidents(9) last year. Traffic Police issued 6,970 summonses to pedestrians last year, of which about 56% were for failure to conform to the traffic signal at pedestrian crossings.

Pedestrians remain the second most vulnerable group of road users last year, after motorcyclists. The number of pedestrians killed accounted for 22% of total fatalities. Traffic Police has introduced several measures and initiatives to reach out to pedestrians, in particular vulnerable groups like the elderly and young children.

For senior citizens, Traffic Police has distributed 10,000 handy bags carrying the road safety message: “Be Seen, Be Safe, Walk Bright” to senior citizens through a series of CSSP activities and road safety talks. The good news is that the number of elderly pedestrians killed in road accidents last year dropped by 40%.

For young children below the age of 12, Traffic Police, in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler, reached out to 12 schools through the Mobilekids programme in 2006. Through this programme, children and youth learn about road safety in an engaging and fun-filled theme park, right in the compound of their schools. TP plans to take this programme to more schools this year.

Conclusion

Most road accidents can be prevented if road users exercise more care, caution and consideration at all times. I take this opportunity to remind all who use our roads, whether as motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists or pedestrians, to embrace a safety-conscious and courteous mindset every time they share this critical common space.

(4) Out of the 4,300 accidents , 110 were fatal, 50 serious injury and 4,140 slight injury accidents.

(5) Out of 740 accidents, 10 were fatal, 10 serious and 720 slight injuries accidents.

(6) Out of a total of 70 speed-related fatal accidents in 2006, 40 of these involved motorcyclists.

(7) Out of the 510 accidents, 20 fatal, 10 serious injury and 480 slight injury accidents.

(8) Other common offences committed by cyclists are riding on the expressways, riding against traffic flow and riding during hours of darkness without front lights.

(9) Out of 910 accidents, 40 were fatal, 20 serious injury and 850 slight injury accidents.

Column: 2017