PHONE-DRIVING

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Home Affairs what effective measures are being considered by his Ministry to reduce the number of "handphone driving" offences.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Phone-driving is an inconsiderate driving behaviour that 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.

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 65 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.

We will monitor the situation closely. My Ministry will not hesitate to increase the penalties if the situation so requires.