SPEED LIMIT ON EXPRESSWAYS

Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will consider raising the speed limit on expressways.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, Police and LTA regularly review speed limits on our roads and expressways. In June last year, the speed limits of nine roads were raised from 50 kmh to 60 kmh. The speed limit of 10 more roads will similarly be raised to 60 kmh in October this year.

Sir, over the years, there have been improvements made to a number of roads and expressways and also to vehicle engineering. Some of the expressways can therefore accommodate vehicles travelling at higher speeds. Traffic Police and LTA have conducted a preliminary study of the eight expressways. The studies indicate that various stretches of our expressways can support a safe speed of 90 kmh. We have therefore decided to raise the speed limit of two stretches of expressways from 80 kmh to 90 kmh. After three months, if drivers' behaviour, traffic situation and accident rates are satisfactory, we can extend the higher speed limit to other expressways.

Sir, the two expressways where the speed limits will be raised from 80 kmh to 90 kmh from October this year are the East Coast Parkway (ECP) from Benjamin Sheares Bridge to Changi Airport, and the Kranji Expressway (KJE).

Mr Chng Hee Kok: Sir, will the Minister of State also consider taking action against slow moving traffic on the overtaking lanes?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: I think the Member is referring to road hogging. Sir, road hogging is an offence in Singapore. But Traffic Police tells me that it is not a serious problem. Indeed, offenders who have been apprehended have come down. In 1995, there were 1,200 and last year, there were 600. But I would agree with the Member that there is a continuous need for education and also continuous enforcement because this way, our expressways will flow even more smoothly.

Mr R. Ravindran (Bukit Timah): In the light of the fact that traffic is light during off peak hours between 10 pm and 6 am, would the Ministry also consider increasing the speed limit on the expressways during the off peak hours to, say, 100 kmh?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the fact that traffic is light and you are all alone on the road or you are with few cars may in fact lull you into a sense of complacency. Indeed, cars that go at excessive speeds at these times have resulted in very serious accidents. We should leave it as that. We will monitor the situation. By bringing up to 90 kmh, it is still within the safe limit. That is important.