MOTOR-CYCLE AND SCOOTER RIDERS (Dangerous driving)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if it is feasible to confine motor-cycle and scooter riders, especially provisional licence holders, to the inner lanes of carriageways and to limit their speed so as to prevent them from weaving their way through the traffic and endangering other road users.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, I wish to inform the Member that existing traffic regulations already disallow dangerous weaving through the traffic by motor-cycle and scooter riders. If caught by the traffic enforcement officers, they will be booked for inconsiderate or even dangerous driving. Motor-cycle and scooter riders should move with the general traffic and observe the speed limits imposed for the stretch of road they are travelling on.

Admittedly, it is desirable to segregate and to have separate lanes for the different types of vehicles. However, in Singapore the shortage of land and limited road space have made it difficult, if not impossible, for this to be so, and serious problems especially at road junctions will be encountered if segregation of vehicles is practised. A good example is our bus lane which is not without its problems. However, in this case the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. Even then, bus lanes have been introduced only to certain main roads.

It is a requirement of law, as well as simple courtesy, that slow-moving vehicles should move on the left lane to allow faster vehicles to proceed on the lane to the right without hindrance. The left lane is thus meant for use by slow-moving vehicles such as buses and goods vehicles. It would, hence, be most unfair to confine motor-cycles and scooters to the left lane as they would have to move at unrealistic slow speeds among the heavy vehicles and this is dangerous for them. The existing situation allows flexibility and is desirable since most of our carriageways have only two lanes. If a motorcycle or a scooter rider is moving slowly, he should keep to the left lane. If he moves faster and wants to by-pass a slow-moving vehicle in front, he can do so in the outer lane to the right. However, at all times he should observe all traffic regulations, and traffic enforcement officers are keeping a sharp watch to ensure that this is being done.

Efforts will continue to be made to educate motor-cycle and scooter riders on the rules and regulations regarding road use. The requirement as from 1st January, 1974 that provisional driving licence holders should pass their Highway Code test before being allowed to drive or ride on the road has also helped to reduce traffic offences and accidents caused by motor-cycle and scooter riders.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, I am just wondering if the Hon. Minister of State is aware that PDL holders are, in actual fact, endangering the lives of other road users. In addition, is the Minister aware that many PDL holders continue to hold PDLs and nothing else year after year? They are unable to pass the road test, and they are still being issued with PDLs. This system is making the traffic situation almost impossible. What action is he proposing to take on PDL holders who continue to renew their PDLs year after year?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: In answer to the question raised by the Member for Potong Pasir, action is being taken to see that this is regularised. As I have said, as far as the learner drivers are concerned, they should observe the rules and regulations governing road use. It is very much a question of public courtesy and mutual respect for other road users. No amount of enforcement of rules that we are able to introduce will make our roads any safer without the cooperation of the drivers themselves.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, I am not talking about PDL motor car drivers. I am talking about PDL scooterists and motor cyclists. Where they are concerned, they can ride the scooter without a tutor sitting by their side to guide them where proper driving is concerned, which is impossible because he would be sitting on the road) I am talking about motorcyclists and scooterists and I am wondering whether the Minister is aware of the fact that they do not even go for road tests. They are quite satisfied with displaying the L-plate, the red letter "L" on a white background. In addition, they are the ones mainly responsible for most accidents on the roads.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, in my earlier answer I did mention that they now have to go for a Highway Code test, which was not required in the past.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, I do not believe that a Highway Code test will actually give them the practical experience on the road. A Highway Code test is merely a written examination as well as pushing little toy cars and motor-cycles around.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: I would welcome constructive suggestions from the Member on how to overcome this problem.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Most certainly.