PAN-ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (Accidents)

Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many accidents have occurred along the Pan-island Expressway since its inception.

Prof. S. Jayakumar (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, stretches of the central portion of the Pan-island Expressway (PIE) such as Jalan Toa Payoh, Jalan Kolam Ayer and the stretch between Adam Road and Jalan Anak Bukit have been in use for a long time. These stretches were eventually widened and progressively linked to form the central portion of the PIE. Accident statistics began to be collected in 1979 after the central portion of the PIE was officially opened. Since 1971, a total of 344 accidents have occurred on the PIE.

The stretch of the East Coast Parkway (ECP) from Tanjong Rhu to Bedok South has also been in existence for sometime.It was named the ECP only after the stretch from Bedok South to the Airport was opened in 1978. Since then, a total of 476 accidents have occurred along the ECP.

Since their inceptions, the number of accidents on the expressways has increased correspondingly with the increase of traffic using the expressways. The number of accidents on both the PIE and the ECP rose from 84 in 1980 to 269 in 1981. This sudden upsurge of accidents coincided with the opening of the Changi International Airport on 1st July 1981 which greatly increased the traffic on both expressways. Another factor contributing to accidents on the expressways was the lack of understanding by motor- ists on the proper use of the expressways. The Traffic Police is aware of the problem and appropriate measures such as publicity to educate road users, enforcement action and the setting up of a proposed Expressway Unit have been taken.

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh): In view of the increasing number of accidents involving motor cyclists, could the Hon. Minister of State consider introducing measures to prohibit motor cyclists from riding along the middle and outer lanes of expressways and major roads?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the suggestion made by the Member for Toa Payoh is noted, and I will discuss it with the Traffic enforcement officers.