HELL RIDING ALONG PAN ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (Measures to curb)

Encik Saidi Haji Shariff asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in view of the tendency for some motor-cyclists to use the Pan Island Expressway as racing tracks, (a) how many of these motor-cyclists or "hell" riders have so far been apprehended and charged; and (b) what further deterrent actions are envisaged by the Ministry to totally reduce or eradicate this problem of dangerous riding.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are motor-cyclists who participate in organized racing activities along expressways and public roads. Such "hell" riders, as they are known, are charged in court for rash riding, dangerous riding or riding at excessive speeds.

In the last 12 months (1st October 1980 to 30th September 1981). 75 motor-cyclists were charged in court for participating in hell-riding activities along expressways. Of these, 10 were charged with rash riding, 22 with dangerous riding and 43 with riding at excessive speeds. The fines imposed on them by the courts ranged from $100 to $1,800. A few of them were also disqualified from holding licences for periods from one to five years.

There are two types of operations mounted by the Traffic Police against hell-riders. These are enforcement operations and preventive operations. Enforcement operations are mounted in known hell-riding areas such as the East coast Expressway, Bukit Timah Expressway and, lately, Marymount Road, or when prior information is received that hell-riding activities will be held at a certain place.

Preventive operations are mounted when groups of motor-cyclists are detected proceeding towards or gathering at known hell-riding areas. These operations are aimed at dissuading motor-cyclists from participating in such activities. Motor-cycles which have been tuned for racing or modified illegally in other ways are impounded for mechanical inspection. Police teams are regularly deployed along known hell-riding areas, especially in the late hours of Saturday nights and the eve of public holidays.

Unfortunately the problem cannot be totally eradicated. As long as there are motor-cyclists willing to gamble their lives for thrills or gain, hell-riding activities will surface from time to time. The Traffic Police is constantly vigilant against such activities. Strict enforcement action is taken and the courts are urged to impose severe deterrent punishments.

The long-term solution to this problem must come from a change in the attitude of motor-cyclists. This can be achieved through better road education. When the plans for training courses for motor-cyclists referred to by the Minister in Parliament at its sitting on 14th August 1981 are implemented in three to four years' time, road safety consciousness should be enhanced. It is hoped that when the danger posed by hell-riding activities and its consequences are driven home to all motor-cyclists, they will desist from such activities.

Finally, the cooperation of the public is also needed. As the hell-riders shift from place to place to escape the attention of the Police, members of the public can help by informing the Police whenever they are aware of an impending hell-riding activity.

Encik Saidi Haji Shariff (Kaki Bukit): Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether he is aware that some of these so-called hell-riders have been using that part of the Pan Island Expressway which passes through Bedok North as racing tracks usually at midnight or in the early mornings, thus increasing the noise pollution and disturbing my constituents who are residents in Bedok North?

May I also ask him whether he will give an assurance that the Traffic Police will continue to take action to stop these hell-riders from using the place as racing tracks during those hours?

Prof. S. Jayakumar: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member asked two supplementary questions. The first question is whether I am aware of the circumstances he has described, and the answer to that is: Yes, I am aware and so are the Traffic Police.

As to his related question on whether an assurance can be given that the Traffic Police will continue to be vigilant, I assure the hon. Member that indeed the Traffic Police will monitor the situation and maintain its vigilance.

Mr Rohan bin Kamis (Telok Blangah): Sir, at a previous sitting of Parliament, in reply to my Question (Hansard, Vol. 41, 15th June 1981, Col.27.) for Oral Answer, the Minister for Home Affairs said that the speed limit at the Expressways would be raised to 80 km per hour when the expressways were completed. Now that the East Coast Expressway is completed, can the Minister of State inform the House when the higher speed limit will be implemented?

Prof. S. Jayakumar: Sir, I would like to inform the Member for Telok Blangah that as his supplementary question is not directly related to the question of hell- riders, this is a matter which will have to be looked into by my Ministry, and if he is disposed to ask the question at the next sitting of Parliament, my Ministry will be pleased to furnish the answer.