CONTROL OVER NEW LICENCE HOLDERS AND PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Communications (a) if he will consider the display by new licence holders of `P' plates on the front and back of their vehicles for a period of not less than twelve months from the date of issue of their licences, and the requirement that such licence holders undergo a re-test if they are penalised more than six points under the Points Demerit System during that period; and (b) if he will consider the requirement that professional drivers, who are over the age of 60 years, undergo a medical examination.

Mr Chai Chong Yii (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Transport Advisory Board, now defunct, did discuss the suggestion that new licence holders should display P' plates on the front and back of their vehicles for a period of time from the date of issue of their licences. The suggestion was not adopted in February 1970 as the members were not convinced that new qualified drivers were more accident-prone than other drivers and that introduction of P' plate system would help to reduce the accident rate. Information received from a motorist association in New South Wales, Australia, where such a system was in existence showed that although such schemes may have a beneficial psychological effect on drivers, there was no satisfactory statistical information to indicate that such schemes did have effect in reducing accidents. The Registrar of Vehicles has sought for more up-to-date information from the relevant authorities in Australia, and this information is being awaited. If the `P' plate system has been found to reduce accidents involving new licence holders, my Ministry will consider its adoption with favour.

In the meantime, we shall implement the Points Demerit System and Traffic Ticketing System. We shall find out how effective these two new systems will be in reducing traffic accidents. It is relevant to point out that in the initial phase of implementation of the Points Demerit System, only violations of the more serious traffic offences qualifying for four points or more will be recorded. The intention is to concentrate on identifying and weeding out the dangerous and reckless drivers.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Police and the Registry of Vehicles will review the accident statistics to determine whether there is a correlation between the rates of accidents and the number of years of driving experiences.

As to medical examination for professional drivers who are over the age of 60 years, this requirement is already in practice under Rule 6 (2) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors and Passengers) Rules, 1974, whereby no vocational licence for a professional driver shall be granted to a person who is 60 years old or more unless the Registrar of Vehicles is satisfied that such a person is medically fit to be licensed.

The hon. Member may be interested to know that there is a plan to extend this requirement for drivers of private cars soon.