ACCIDENTS ALONG EAST COAST PARKWAY (Preventive measures)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan asked the Minister for Home Affairs what measures can be taken to prevent the further occurrence of accidents such as that which occurred on the East Coast Parkway when a prime mover ran into a stationary car and caused the death of Mdm Cassandra Khor.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Sir, the accident involving Mdm Khor was very unfortunate. The Traffic Police and the Land Transport Authority already have plans in the coming months to facilitate the early towing away of breakdown vehicles on expressways, as well as to control the speed of heavy vehicles.

The LTA introduced an Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) for the Central Expressway (CTE) on 1st March 1998. EMAS spots accidents and breakdown vehicles which are then removed by LTA's towing contractor. The quick removal of obstruction ensures that the source of danger is removed as soon as possible and also minimises delays to other motorists. EMAS will eventually be extended to the other expressways, like the BKE, PIE and ECP.

The Traffic Police is also working with LTA and transport associations such as the Motor Traders Association and the Freight Forwarders Association to look into requiring heavy vehicles to install speed limiters. These limiters would restrict the speed at which heavy vehicles can travel. Once the vehicle reaches a certain pre-determined maximum speed, the petrol-supply to the engine would be regulated, and the vehicle would not be able to travel beyond that speed. Such limiters are already in place in almost all SBS and TIBS buses. The first phase of implementation is expected to start in July this year.

Besides taking preventive measures, the Traffic Police will also step up its enforcement against heavy vehicles. The Traffic Police has been charging drivers of heavy vehicles involved in serious and fatal accidents and, on a selective basis, slight injury accidents. Henceforth, the Traffic Police will charge all drivers of heavy vehicles who are involved in accidents in court. The Traffic Police will also charge drivers of heavy vehicles who are caught speeding. Errant drivers will be liable for heavier penalties as well as disqualification from driving. For careless driving, a first offender will be liable to a fine of $1,000 or 3 months imprisonment. For dangerous driving, the offender will be liable to a fine of up to $3,000 or 12 months imprisonment or both. The offender can also be liable to disqualification from driving. In suitable cases, the Traffic Police will press for a deterrent sentence, including imprisonment sentences and disqualification from driving.

Sir, the Traffic Police takes a serious view of motorists who blatantly flout traffic regulations, such as driving on expressway shoulders. Expressway shoulders are meant only for vehicles to stop temporarily during emergencies, for example, when a vehicle breaks down. Motorists should not treat a road shoulder as an additional carriageway. Anyone who drives on the expressway shoulder can be fined up to $1,000 or 3 months imprisonment. The offender will also be given 4 demerit points. A repeat offender can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed up to 6 months.

Sir, the Traffic Police is currently reviewing the demerit points system. The review will include all offences that currently attract demerit points, such as driving along expressway shoulders.

The Traffic Police would also like to advise motorist whose vehicle has broken down along the expressway to switch on the hazard lights and display the vehicle breakdown sign. The motorist and his passengers should move away from the breakdown vehicle and stand behind the guard rail. They should face the direction of the on-coming traffic and not venture onto the carriageway at all times.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan (Nominated Member): Sir, when can we expect the full implementation of the speed limiters for heavy vehicles? Also, what sort of heavier penalties could we expect for drivers who violate these laws? For example, would they have more demerit points than before?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, the implementation of the speed limiters will be carried out in phases. The first phase will begin with new heavy vehicles which are registered from 1st July onwards. Thereafter, existing heavy vehicles will be installed with speed limiters in phases over a period of time, and we hope they can do it as soon as possible, because it is actually a very simple device costing just a few hundred dollars to install.

As for the demerit points and the fines, the whole demerit point system is being reviewed, whether it is just parking at demerit point zones, speeding or any other offence that would attract demerit points. I think far too many people are beating red lights and speeding. These constitute about 70% of the total traffic offences. I think motorists should be advised not to violate any of the traffic regulations because the Traffic Police is earnest and serious in addressing this problem, and they will up the demerit points quite severely.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan: Since the Minister mentioned that there will be a review of the demerit points system, in the spirit of S21, would the Minister then guarantee that there would be full consultation before he implements such a demerit points system?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, I think the public is already quite unhappy that we have so many motorists who violate the law, and that they want the Police to take tough action against them. An example is this question of illegal parking. Readers of newspapers would have noted that the newspapers ran a series of articles carrying views from residents, motorists and other people who complained about illegal parking and they want the Police to do more in dealing with this problem. As a result and in response to this - the Traffic Police has also been considering this - the Police has therefore demarcated a number of areas to attract demerit points if motorists park in these areas. And the number of such zones which will attract demerit points for illegal parking will increase to quite a significant number. I can assure Members here that the Police will go all out to deal with this problem.