BUS ACCIDENTS (Particulars)
Parliament of Singapore · 16 February 1973 · 3rd Parliament
Official Report, 16 February 1973, Vol 32, Issue 9 · Open in the reader (summaries, search, filters)
Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs (a) how many serious omnibus accidents occurred between 1st May, 1971, and the latest convenient date, giving breakdown figures in respect of each bus company; and (b) how many persons were killed in those accidents.
Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of serious accidents (including fatal accidents) between 1-5-71 and 31-10-72 involving omnibuses was 413. The breakdown of this figure is as follows:- Amalgamated Bus Company Ltd. 58 United Bus Company (Pte.) Ltd 123 Associated Bus Service Ltd. 232 --- 413 ===
As regards the second part of the question, a total of 67 persons were killed in these accidents.
Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah): Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the seriousness of these accidents, we would like to know what steps have been taken by the authorities to remedy the situation?
Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Traffic Police has formed a Selective Enforcement Squad within the Mobile Squad to take action against drivers of public service vehicles found speeding or driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. In addition to Court prosecution or fines, the Traffic Police also recommends to the Registrar of Vehicles to suspend the driving licences of bus drivers in serious cases.
Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, this practice of the Mobile Squad arresting the drivers and so on has been in existence from time immemorial.
Mr Speaker: Mr Ho, are you asking a supplementary question, or are you entering into a debate on this?
Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, what I am saying is that, in spite of the action taken by the Mobile Squad, I do not see any reduction in the number of accidents. Can the authorities, therefore, do something more than that?
Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already answered the question. I said that the Traffic Police has formed a Selective Enforcement Squad within the Mobile Squad to take action. Perhaps the Member for Bras Basah did not comprehend the answer. That was not done before.
Source: Singapore Parliament Official Report (Hansard) for 16 February 1973. Republished on SGParliament.