REAR SEAT BELT REQUIREMENTS (Grace period)

Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in respect of the rear seat belt requirements to take effect from 1st October 1992, whether the Traffic Police will consider giving motorists a grace period during which the Traffic Police can conduct a campaign to educate and advise motorists on the need for rear seat belts.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the regulation on the use of child restraints in the front seat came into effect on 1st July this year, Traffic Police were aware that this new requirement needed explanation. It was necessary for motorists to know that the rule was in the interests of the safety of their children. Therefore, the Traffic Police gave a grace period during which the offenders were not booked but instead given written advisory notices and cautioned that they would be booked if they were caught again. As a result of this, there has been a high level of compliance with the front seat belt rules.

Dr Arthur Beng as well as Dr Ow Chin Hock, Chairman of the Feedback Unit, have both informed me that the requirement of seat belts for rear seats is more complicated and therefore requires further public education so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. For example, some people still have the misperception that the rear seats are safer than the front seats and that therefore there is no real need for this requirement.

Traffic Police will next week launch a comprehensive public education programme on the need to use seat belts and child restraints in the rear seats. It will be a major education programme, with television commercials, advertisements in the press, posters and leaflets.

As was done for the front seat requirements, Traffic Police will also give a grace period for the rear belt rules. During this period, which will be for three months, Traffic Police will exercise flexibility on first time offenders, who will be cautioned and advised of the need to belt up.