PEDESTRIAN CROSSING RULES, 1977 (Enforcement)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education (a) what was the number of pedestrian offenders under the Pedestrian Crossing Rules, 1977, up to 31st October, 1977; (b) what is the extent of discretion and courtesy training given to the uniformed personnel who are enforcing the aforementioned Rules; and (c) whether he is aware that the many road markings and signs at the junction of Maxwell Road, Wallich Street and Anson Road are causing confusion to pedestrians, and if the matter will be looked into.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, since the enforcement of the Pedestrian Crossing Rules, 1977, took effect on la September, 1977, there were a total of 16,239 pedestrian offenders booked up to 31st October, 1977.

While the Traffic Police requires its enforcement officers to be firm in enforcing the law, it also expects them to use their discretion. It requires the officer to enforce the law with commonsense, judgment and understanding. This policy applies equally to enforcement action against pedestrian offenders.

In preparation for the enforcement of the Pedestrian Crossing Rules, in-service training sessions were held to impart the various complexities of the law to those who were to enforce the rules. The training also emphasised the need to exercise discretion and commonsense in enforcement as well as to be courteous at all times. From then on, further in-service training sessions for enforcement officers were held periodically to review and acquaint them with the various problems that were learnt from hindsight.

Like most intersections, the junction at Maxwell Road/Wallich Street/Anson Road is boxed by pedestrian crossings on all sides. However, the roads do not intersect at right angles and it is, therefore, necessary to put up additional signs. Apart from these there is no unusual marking that is likely to be a source of confusion.

There are, however, complaints from motorists that. Vehicles approaching Wallich Street from Anson Road would have to stop twice to give way to pedestrians. In situations such as the junction in question a trade-off is often unavoidable. In this case, the convenience of motorists has to be partly sacrificed to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Nonetheless, the Traffic Police will keep the matter under review, to see how this inconvenience on the part of the motorists can be kept to the minimum without sacrificing the safety of pedestrians.

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, the junction at Maxwell Road/Wallich Street/Anson Road is causing confusion to pedestrians. Will the Hon. Minister instruct the Traffic Police to alter the situation so as to make it easier for pedestrians to cross there? Even Police constables do not know the rules, and innocent pedestrians are being booked. When pedestrians cross with green light, they suddenly have to stop at the red light. I suggest that the Minister visit this junction one day.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think confusion is caused by the way the pedestrian crossings were drawn up. I think the confusion may be partly caused by the fact that there are too many intersections at that road junction. But as far as the Traffic Police is concerned, they have drawn these signs in the best way possible to minimise the confusion. They have done so. But, as I have said, they will review the situation and if they find that there is a better way of doing it, they will make the necessary alteration.

I should be glad if the Member for Anson would take me there one day to view the intersection.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, I want to know whether the Minister will consider altering it in a way that is proper for pedestrians to cross.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already said that the existing way is the best way. I do not think we should alter for the sake of altering because there may be more trouble.

Mr Ho See Beng: Sir, is the Minister aware that possibly as a result of pedestrians taking their own sweet time to cross that traffic congestion is caused by motorists wanting to turn left or right?

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, that is a very good question. In fact, the only solution to the problem of getting pedestrians to brisk up when crossing is to install red-and-green man signals at these junctions. Once these red-and-green man signals are installed, we can regulate the time for crossing. When we want the pedestrians to cross briskly, we introduce the blinking sign, and when it blinks the pedestrian will have to cross briskly. At the present time, with resources permitting, every week and through every month we are installing more and more of these red-and-green man signals at the various road junctions.