USING OF MOBILE PHONE WHILST DRIVING (Penalties)

Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is satisfied with the current penalties imposed for using a mobile phone whilst driving a motor vehicle.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, phone driving is an inconsiderate driving behaviour which poses a danger to road-users. The police has stepped up enforcement against phone drivers. In 1994, 2,838 motorists were booked for phone driving compared with 395 in 1993. From January to August this year, 1,837 were booked for phone driving. Apart from stepping up enforcement, the police has also been encouraging motorists to install hands-free sets.

Sir, although the number of motorists booked for phone driving has increased, the problem has not gone out of hand to warrant increasing the current penalties. Currently, a motorist who phone drives is committing an offence of driving without due care or reasonable consideration under section 865 of the Road Traffic Act. The penalty is a fine of $170 or $200 for drivers of light and heavy vehicles respectively. The offence also carries 9 demerit points.

Sir, the police will continue to monitor the situation closely. My Ministry will not hesitate to increase the penalties if the situation so requires.

Mr S. Chandra Das (Cheng San GRC): Sir, I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary what other measures are being considered by his Ministry.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, other possible measures would include confiscating the handphone, increasing the number of demerit points or, if necessary, making phone driving a specific offence. But for the moment, we will continue to monitor and see whether the situation warrants considering these other measures.

Dr Kanwaljit Soin: Sir, would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that handphone driving is a very serious offence? And in view of that, would he agree that something more needs to be done than just monitoring the situation, because it could lead to some serious and fatal accidents?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, I agree with the Member. I think all of us here agree that driving with one hand on the handphone and the other hand on the wheel is indeed serious. That is why, as I have mentioned, we have stepped up enforcement. We will continue with education to encourage drivers to install hands-free sets. And as I have mentioned in this House, the fact that we are considering enforcing other tougher measures underscores that we are serious in ensuring that this inconsiderate driving behaviour does not get out of hand.

Also, if I may say, we have encouraged other drivers to report such offenders if they do see people using handphones while driving. I think this also calls for the support of fellow drivers to ensure that this dangerous behaviour, as the Member has mentioned, would be wiped out.

Dr Kanwaljit Soin: Sir, would the Parliamentary Secretary explain his slight reluctance in being more tough with these offenders? Second, would he agree that taking stricter measures and making an example of a few cases would be a very good deterrent for other potential offenders?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, let me put things in perspective. I think it is wrong to say that I am reluctant to enhance the penalties. When we monitor the situation, it does not mean that we just sit on our backs. We are actively considering enhancing the penalties. I have mentioned to the Member for Cheng San GRC the penalties we will introduce if the situation warrants it.