TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE USE OF HANDPHONES AND MUSIC HEADSETS

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will give an update on the incidence of traffic accidents in 1999 involving the use of handphones and portable music headsets, and whether further measures, such as stiffer penalties or public education, will be necessary.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, prior to 1999, handphone drivers were dealt with under the inconsiderate driving provisions of the law. A first offender was usually offered composition which attracted a fine of $170 and nine demerit points. A subsequent offender was charged in court and upon first conviction, the offender could be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to six months or both. The penalty for a second or subsequent conviction was a fine of up to $2,000, or a jail term of up to one year, or both. From March 1999, Traffic Police made handphone driving a specific offence and increased the composition fine to $200 and the demerit points to 12 points.

Sir, there is no record of any accident involving the use of handphones in 1999. The incidence of handphone driving has also decreased in 1999. This can be attributed to stronger deterrence arising from the legislative amendments, effective enforcement and public education. The number of summonses issued to motorists caught handphone driving decreased by 33% or 600 summonses from 1,800 in 1998 to 1,200 in 1999.

Traffic Police will continue with its three-prong approach of tough laws, effective enforcement and public education to keep the problem of handphone driving under control. There is no need for further measures, such as stiffer penalties, at this time.

Sir, police rarely comes across motorists who drive whilst using portable music headsets. However, police will not hesitate to take the necessary action should it become a problem.

Mr Simon S C Tay (Nominated Member): Sir, if I understand correctly, the Minister of State has said that there are no accidents involving handphone use, but there are new laws in place. May I ask the Minister of State, if there are no accidents, why do we have to have these new laws? Does this seem strange as compared to the safety factor of young children, which we have just discussed? In that case, we are also assured that there is no safety problem because there is no accident, but we do not want to legislate on that.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Of course, the tougher laws have deterred people from using handphones. But no accident relating to handphone driving does not mean handphone driving is not dangerous. When you use a handphone, it results in dangerous behaviour on the road. So a person using a handphone, for example, can be charged for inconsiderate driving. In fact, unlike other countries, like Japan, where the rates are very high, I think we nipped the problem in the bud. From a high of 3,200 summonses in 1996, it has come down to 1,200 last year. Our approach is a good approach - public education, tough laws and effective enforcement.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua (Marine Parade): Can I ask the Minister whether there were any accidents involving pedestrians using portable music sets?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: I do not have the record for that. This is not a question relating to a music set while driving. But from recollection, I do not think that has been a direct cause of any accident, although we all say that when you drive, you should not use the music set because it can be distracting. Likewise, the argument can be used that if you walk along the road using a music set, it can also cause some problems because you will not be listening to cars and other traffic around you. So I think whoever does that must be very careful.