LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES (Offence of transporting passengers)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for Communications and Information what was the number of offenders, in each of the past five years, who violated traffic rules on transporting passengers in light goods vehicles.

Mr Ho Kah Leong (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to reply.

Goods vehicles are designed and licensed primarily for carrying goods, not passengers. They are not permitted to carry any persons other than employees proceeding on business. The number of offenders who violated traffic rules in transporting passengers in both light and heavy goods vehicles are as follows. 1984, 5,213; 1985, 5,333; 1986, 5,883. Earlier figures are not available.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Two supplementary questions, Sir. First, what are the reasons for the increase in the number of offenders from 1984 to 1986? Second, if it is deemed unsafe to carry passengers in these light goods vehicles, why does the Ministry permit the transportation of employees on their way to work?

Mr Ho Kah Leong: Sir, the answer to the first question is that these figures are only significant if the Police and the ROV were to carry out the same number of blitz on the offenders. I am not quite sure whether they have done so. I presume in 1986 they stepped up their enforcement action. That is why the number is more than that for 1984.

On the second question, Mr Speaker, Sir, I have stated in my answer that it is to facilitate employers to ferry their workers to work. Otherwise they would have to hire other type of vehicles to transport their workers and this will add on to the labour cost of the employers. However, if need be, we will review the policy.

Dr Koh Lam Son: On the answer to the first question, does this increase in number suggest that there is an increase in the number of offenders in 1986? In other words, is the problem getting out of control to warrant further enforcement action by your Ministry? The answer to the second question ---

Mr Speaker: Dr Koh, you are supposed to ask a supplementary question and not make a speech.

Dr Koh Lam Son: Would the Senior Parliamentary Secretary agree that one should not risk life even if it is to facilitate the transportation of employees on their way to work?

Mr Ho Kah Leong: Sir, the Traffic Police and the ROV will step up enforcement action and try to reduce offences of this nature. On his second question, I have mentioned that, if need be, we will review the policy.