HELL RIDING ACTIVITIES (Measures to eradicate)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many hell riders were arrested in 1980, 1981 and 1982, and what action was taken against them; and, in view of the high risk of injury to life and of being a nuisance to the public, what measures are being taken to stop the dangerous riding practices of these hell riders.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir; the number of hell riders against whom court action was taken during 1980, 1981 and 1982 was as follows:- Year 1980 72 1981 83 1982 158

They were mostly charged for rash riding, which is an offence under section 279 of the Penal Code. Many others suspected of hell riding but were not caught red-handed in the act were not proceeded against in court. However, they were offered composition for lesser offences, and their machines were impounded and sent to ROV for inspection to detect whether any illegal modifications, i.e. modification to exhaust pipes and engines, had been carried out. Further, action was taken against both the registered owners who had modified their machines, and the riders. The number of motor cycles sent to the Registry of Vehicles for inspection as a result of anti-hell riding operations in 1980, 1981 and 1982, and the number found to be modified were as follows:- No. sent for No. found Year Inspection Modified 1980 1,594 627 1981 2,392 1,097 1982 3,995 2,124

Consequently, Sir, the Registrar of Vehicles is looking into the possibility of amending the Road Traffic Act to make mechanics or owners of workshops liable for carrying out illegal modification of motor cycles.

The following measures have been taken to stop dangerous riding practices of hell riders:-

(1) A special squad of highly skilled Traffic Police Officers are deployed to deal with hell riders who are particularly active on Saturday evenings and on the eve of public holidays. The hell riders are known to assemble at certain locations and Traffic Police Officers carry out regular operations aimed against them at those places.

(2) Besides being charged for offences, all hell riders detained are brought to the Traffic Police HQ, and various aspects of road safety, road discipline, and the need to comply with Traffic Rules are driven home to them. They are also made aware that their hell riding activities are considered as anti-social by a very large segment of the public.

(3) Intelligence on hell riding activities is collated and operations mounted as and when necessary.

Unfortunately, whether the problem can be totally eradicated depends on the motor cyclists. If they want 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.

Finally, the cooperation of the public is also needed. Since hell riders shift their venues of operations to escape the attention of the Police, the public can help by informing the Police whenever they are aware of an impending hell riding activity.

Mr Rohan bin Kamis (Telok Blangah): Sir, instead of taking repressive measures only, would the Minister consider the provision of special circuits where races could be organized under regulated conditions and, therefore, safer to both riders and third parties?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, I have taken note of the suggestion of the Member, but whether we should think in terms of providing a grand prix or mini grand prix circuit to contain the activities of such persons is a matter that has to be carefully considered. I think the Minister has in this House outlined plans for training circuits, but these circuits will not be for the enjoyment of those motor cyclists except to ensure that future motor cyclists who are licensed to ride on the road would be properly trained.