MAKING EXPRESSWAYS SAFER

Mr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for Communications what measures the Government will be taking to make travelling on our expressways safer by more stringent regulations of heavy service vehicles used in the maintenance of the expressways.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: To forewarn motorists of stationary maintenance works, contractors have to abide by the Temporary Signing Manual issued by LTA which spells out the guidelines on the placing of signs, barriers and traffic cones. This manual follows international practice, and gives motorists sufficient warning of road maintenance works and obstructions which can pose safety hazards to motorists. All contractors undertaking works for LTA and the various utility service agencies such as PowerGrid, Power Gas, PUB and Singapore Telecom have to comply with the provisions of this manual.

LTA also conducts refresher courses regularly to remind contractors and service agencies of the importance of safe practices when carrying out their works along the road. LTA's contractors and service agents who do not adhere to the guidelines are liable to be fined and suspended.

Slow moving trucks undertaking maintenance works on the expressways, such as water tankers and road sweepers, are required to be fitted with bright warning hazard lights and large lighted moving arrows at their rear to forewarn motorists. LTA and the Traffic Police (TP) will work closely together to ensure that all service vehicles carrying out works along the expressways are properly equipped with adequate signage.

In addition, LTA has required the use of a shock absorber called the Truck Mounted Attenuator mandatory for its contractors carrying out works on the expressways. The shock absorber, to be located in advance of the stationary works, will absorb the impact of a vehicle that strays into the work area, without injuring the occupants. The LTA and TP are working with the other utility service agencies such as NParks and the Ministry of the Environment to use the device when their water tankers and sweepers are working on the expressways.

To forewarn motorists of broken-down/accident vehicles or any other obstructions, the Expressways Monitoring and Advisory System, or EMAS for short, when implemented will provide advance warning signs to inform drivers of any incident and obstruction, so that they can negotiate the area safely. EMAS will be implemented along the Central Expressway in March 1998 and subsequently extended to other expressways.

Finally, motorists must also play their part to make the expressways safer by observing traffic rules and safe driving practices. They should be alert to changing traffic conditions and look out for warning signs. According to TP, speeding is the major cause of the 85 fatal and serious injury accidents along our expressways last year. In conjunction with the Automobile Association of Singapore and other organisations, TP also holds regular road safety campaigns every year to educate road users on the need to adopt good driving habits. Some of these campaigns include "Ride Safely, Stay Alive", the Anti-drink Drive and Speed Management Campaigns. TP is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Road Traffic Act and Rules to enhance road safety. TP will also install more speed detection cameras on the expressways to curb speeding.