TRAFFIC POLICE SUMMONS NOTICES (Delay in issue)

Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) if he will give the reason for the delay of over one year in the issue by the Traffic Police of a summons notice in respect of a 13-month old traffic offence; and (b) what is the backlog of such cases, and if he will take steps to remedy the, situation.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr L. P. Rodrigo) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, normally, if the personal particulars of the offending driver are available on the spot and if the offence is compoundable, an offer of composition will be sent to him within two weeks of the offence. If the offer is not accepted by the driver after a period, action by way of summons will be instituted against him.

However, there are many cases of traffic violations where the particulars of the offenders are not obtainable on the spot by the Traffic Police. In these cases, some time is spent in obtaining the particulars of the owner of the vehicle from the Registrar of Vehicles, and thereafter, the particulars of the driver at the time of the alleged offence from the owner. Often reminders have to be sent to the vehicle owners.

When the particulars of the driver are finally obtained, it will take some time before an offer of composition is sent to him. If the offer is not accepted, the case will be further delayed in that some more time will have to be spent in obtaining a summons from the court.

There are also difficulties in effecting the service of summons. In many cases, accused drivers change addresses without notifying the National Registration Office and the Registrar of Vehicles of these changes, although required by the law to do so. Hence an accused driver may receive his summons for an offence committed one year ago.

At the moment, there is a backlog of approximately 21,500 traffic cases, all more than a year old, waiting for the issue of summonses.

However, a ticketing system will soon be implemented to deal with traffic offenders more effectively and expeditiously. Under the new system, a ticket will be issued to the offending driver on the spot stipulating the amount of fine which he has to pay at the Report Section, Traffic Police, within two weeks from the date of the offence. The necessary amendments to the Traffic Ordinance have been made and, as soon as the mechanics of the ticketing system as well as the rules governing it have been finalised, it will be put into operation.

In the meantime, measures are being taken to process the backlog of traffic cases more rapidly without at the same time causing a drag on the pile of current cases.

Mr Low Guan Onn (River Valley): Sir, will the Traffic Police give them a target date to finish all the 21,000 cases.

Mr Rodrigo: Sir, that is hardly possible. All that my Ministry can say is that specific measures are being taken by additional manpower to try to reduce this backlog as rapidly as possible.

Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah): Sir, may I know what is the maximum amount for a compoundable traffic offence?

Mr Rodrigo: Sir, the maximum amount for compoundable cases is $50 at the moment.

Mr Ho See Beng: Does this amount of $50 apply to all types of offences, or does it apply only to a particular type of compoundable traffic offence?

Mr Rodrigo: Sir, this sum of $50 is the maximum amount for an offer of composition. The amount set on a particular offence will depend on the type of offence.