HIGHWAY CODE

The Minister of State for Communications (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in the name of the Minister for Communications, namely,

That this Parliament, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 65 of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92) resolves that the Highway Code published as Notification No. 5 8 in the Subsidiary Legislation Supplement to the Gazette of 17th January, 1975, as contained in Paper S.L. 17 of 1975, be approved.

Sir, the last Highway Code was passed by a Resolution of Parliament at its sitting on 24th January, 1968.

Since the issue of the last Highway Code, a number of developments have occurred on the road transportation scene. Several new traffic signs such as "Taxi Stop", "Box junction" and "Bus Lane" have been introduced together with their corresponding Rules.

In view of these and numerous other changes, it was found necessary to update the Code. In consultation with the Traffic Police, the Registry of Vehicles and the Attorney-General's Chambers, the new Highway Code was drawn up.

The new Code contains 114 sections as compared to 107 sections in the old Code. Eighty-two sections of the old Code were retained intact, while 21 sections were revised, and four sections deleted. Six new sub-headings have been added, namely "Keep Left", "White Lines", "U-Turn", "Following Distances", "Speed and Stopping", "Smoky and noisy exhaust". Metric units for speed and distance have also been included.

The Highway Code is the code of conduct for motorists and not merely a digest of traffic laws. It lays stress on the responsibilities of road users towards each other. Close and faithful observation of the Code will lead to greater safety on our roads.

Question proposed.

2.41 p.m.

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker, Sir, of course we have to approve the motion that has just been tabled, but I would like to take the opportunity of saying one or two words about the Highway Code.

The first point I would like to make, Sir, is that the Highway Code, up to the present moment, has been more honoured in the breach than in the observance. It is to avoid this amended Highway Code becoming a dead letter that I would like to say a few words. You can just take your car out on any occasion to any place where there are road users and you will find scores of traffic violations. Take, for example, The most important rule that has been given some prominence in the Highway Code, namely, that of "Keeping Left". Coming down Bukit Timah Road or Dunearn Road, the two arterial roads that lead into and out of Singapore, you will find lorries, supposedly with discs indicating their maximum speeds permissible, keeping grimly to the right side of the road and those vehicles keeping to the left side of the road are those which are trying to overtake those that are keeping grimly to the right side of the road.

Another matter is that of the speed limit, which is again another point that is stressed in this Highway Code. I think the general tendency is for people to drive at least 10 miles per hour faster than they are allowed to drive. Perhaps this has been taken into account. But let us not make a hypocrite of the law, a mockery of the code, feeling we can allow people to drive faster than they should. In order to inculcate a respect for the code, one has to implement this code. This is the reason why I am making this remark that implementation of the code has not been successful. There has been a safety campaign recently with certain limited success achieved. But I think we have to emphasise in all areas, especially in the Government departments as some of the biggest sinners are the Government departments indeed - you find PUB and PWD vehicles and all sorts of vehicles belonging to the Government breaking the traffic regulations almost gaily -

Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi): Also the Police.

Mr Conceicao: Yes, including the Police and the Army. In fact, yesterday when I was driving home very carefully, I was overtaken by a Police vehicle that was exceeding the speed limit.

Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah): Take down the number!

Mr Conceicao: There is no point reporting the fact to the Police that one of their vehicles has exceeded the speed limit because they will say that I do not have my car properly checked for speed. So in order to make that report justifiably to the Police -

The Minister for Health and Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): They might be chasing after somebody!

Mr Conceicao: No. This vehicle had a 30 mph disc on its back. What is the use of putting a 30mph disc on a vehicle that is supposed to be chasing after other vehicles? Going through this Highway Code, Mr Speaker, Sir, just listen to this: When being overtaken, never speed up to prevent another driver from passing.' In traffic hold-ups, do not "jump the queue".' These are the things that are actually happening, but they are incorporated in this Highway Code as offences. You must forgive me for being a little excited, Mr Speaker, Sir,I have been coming to this House and repeating, this again and again but no action has been taken to push across the idea that the Highway Code is a very important instrument of civic education. The Highway Code lays stress on responsibilities and courtesy and it is an important instrument of civic education. I think the Government should do all it can to put across this idea of proper conduct on the public road.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 65 of the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92), resolves that the Highway Code published as Notification No. 58 in the Subsidiary Legislation Supplement to the Gazette of 17th January, 1975, as contained in Paper S.L. 17 of 1975, be approved.