CRASH HELMETS (Fatal accidents since Legislation)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Communications, since the wearing of crash helmets by motor cyclists and scooterists was made compulsory, how many such persons have died in road accidents.

The Minister of State for Communications (Dr Ang Kok Peng) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, compulsory wearing of crash helmets was implemented in three stages. In the first stage, only those applying for new provisional licences for motor-cycles and scooters were required to wear crash helmets with effect from 1st November, 1969. The second stage came into effect from 1st February, 1970, when all provisional licence holders for motor-cycles and scooters were required to wear crash helmets. It was only in the third stage, from 1st January, 1971, that all motor-cyclists, scooterists and pillion-riders were required to wear crash helmets.

In 1970, there were 118 fatal accidents involving motor-cyclists and scooterists. There were 77 fatal cases in 1971, and 73 fatal cases in 1972. This represents a decrease of 35 per cent in fatal cases in 1971, and a decrease of 38 per cent in 1972, when compared with the number of fatal accidents involving motor-cyclists and scooterists in 1970, when "L" riders were required to wear crash helmets.