PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON GIVING WAY TO AMBULANCES

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Cyrille Tan asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether his Ministry will (i) conduct a public education campaign to remind road users to give way to ambulances, including how they should do it, and (ii) make it compulsory for learner drivers to be taught the correct procedures for giving way to ambulances.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, motorists must give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles. The correct procedures to do so are incorporated in both the basic and advanced theory driving manuals for learner drivers, and in the syllabus of all the driving schools. The importance of road safety and road courtesy, including giving way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles, is also an ongoing message in Traffic Police's public education programmes.

When motorists do not give way to these vehicles, it is not because they do not know, but because they do not want to. By and large, most motorists give way.

Motorists who do not give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles can be fined up to $160 and given 4 demerit points under the Road Traffic Rules.

The Traffic Police will continue to highlight the importance of giving way to emergency vehicles in its public education programmes.

Mr Shriniwas Rai (Nominated Member): Sir, what steps will the Government take for drivers with foreign driving licences? I read in the newspapers that in Malaysia, somebody was driving with a foreign driving licence. Would these drivers with foreign driving licences be given an orientation course?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, Traffic Police has announced that all persons who hold foreign driving licences will have to sit for a written test, to ensure that they are familiar with the signs and other rules that are in force in Singapore.

Mr Shriniwas Rai: Much obliged, Sir.