FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MOTORISTS (Preventive measures)

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in view of the increase in the number of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists, whether the Ministry has taken any measures to prevent this unnecessary loss of lives, especially as most of the victims killed are below the age of 30.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, Traffic Police is concerned that traffic accidents involving motorcyclists have increased over the past two years. The number of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists increased 15% from 93 in 1999 to 108 in the year 2000. Last year, about 46% of road deaths comprised motorcyclists and pillion riders.

The statistics also confirm that younger riders are more accident-prone. For the past two years, about 57% of the motorcyclists and pillion riders who died in road accidents were below 30 years old.

Sir, Traffic Police has adopted a 3-pronged approach to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents. First, rigorous testing. Traffic Police has a rigorous testing system and maintains a high testing standard for motorcycle or Class 2 licences. The testing system is a graduated one where motorcyclists cannot apply for a bigger engine capacity motorcycle licence, without having first obtained a smaller engine capacity motorcycle licence. For example, a motorcyclist cannot apply for a Class 2 (which is above 400 cc) motorcycle licence unless he already has a Class 2A (which is from 201 cc to 400 cc) and Class 2B (which is up to 200 cc) licences. Testing standards are also closely monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure that motorcyclists acquire a high standard of skills and good habits in riding motorcycles.

Second, public education. Traffic Police regularly conducts public education programmes to educate road users, including motorcyclists on road safety. Last year, Traffic Police conducted a total of 21 road safety talks and 70 road safety exhibitions specifically for motorcyclists. Traffic Police also organises other initiatives targeted at motorcyclists, such as the Road Safety Month, Safe Riding Rally and the Road Safety Seminar cum Workshop.

Third, strict enforcement. Sir, in addition to rigorous testing and public education, Traffic Police also takes strict enforcement action against irresponsible motorcyclists. In particular, Traffic Police takes a tough stance against motorcyclists for inconsiderate driving, dangerous driving and speeding, which are the primary causes of motorcycle accidents where motorcyclists have been found negligent.

Last year, Traffic Police conducted many operations against errant motorcyclists. Traffic Police also issued more than 51,000 summonses to motorcyclists for traffic violations, an increase of 16% over the previous year.

Sir, in summary, Traffic Police will continue to work hard to improve road safety for all. But, ultimately, all road users must understand that they are responsible for their own safety. Hence, all road users should take extra care on the roads, ride or drive safely and follow the traffic rules, which are designed for their safety. By practising safe driving or riding habits at all times, they not only enhance their personal road safety but also make our roads safer for all other users.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung (Sembawang): Sir, may I ask the Minister of State what is the percentage of foreign motorcyclists involved in these accidents because if foreign motorcyclists form a high percentage, then perhaps the public education programme would not have reached such cyclists? What would you do about them?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, a sizeable of them are foreigners, in particular, Malaysians. For example, last year, of the fatalities, 77% were Singaporeans and about 23% were Malaysians. In fact, Traffic Police is also aware of that. Therefore, they also target Malaysian motorcyclists who are coming in. For example, on several occasions, in 1995, 1996 and 1999, they had deployed officers at the Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint to distribute road safety leaflets to these foreign motorists who were coming in. And indeed, only in March this year, they also sought the assistance of SIR to distribute road safety leaflets. So there is an attempt to reach out to these foreign riders. And in particular, the GPC Chairman may recall that, in 1999, we amended the laws to extend the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) to include foreign driving licence holders. So in sum, Traffic Police looks at things comprehensively and tries to tackle it all round.

Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap (Hong Kah): Sir, since speeding is the main cause of accidents, would the Minister of State consider lowering the speed limit for those motorcyclists who have just obtained their licences, not unlike those heavy vehicles, ie, impose a lower speed limit, say, for the first five years after they have got their licences?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, it is one thing to maintain different speed limits for different categories of users of the road, eg, heavy lorry vehicles, cars, buses or, indeed, even for different stretches of roads. But to maintain different speed limits for different categories of the same type of transportation, for example, motorcycles, will make it very hard for Traffic Police to monitor and enforce the rules. But, certainly, in terms of road behaviour, those who are on probation will know that under DIPS, for the first year, if they accumulate 12 points, their licence will be suspended. So there is, in fact, already a reminder to them all the time that in their first year of riding whilst on probation, they should ride more carefully because it is 12 points. After that, it is 24 points over two years. So there is already some differentiation in treatment.

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State what proportion of those fatalities involved riders who are below 20 years of age and, if a substantial number of those fatalities really involved those who are below 20 years of age, whether or not the Government would consider raising the qualifying age for a motorcycle licence.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, as I have given in my main answer, I do not have the numbers for under 20 years but, for the past two years, about 57% of the motorcyclists and pillion riders who died in road accidents were below 30 years. As to the point whether we should raise the age limit, in fact the age limit for motorcyclists was raised from 16 to 18 on 1st of May 1996. It was felt that 18 is a good age, in terms of body size, maturity, etc, and we should keep it at that. In fact, 18 is also the age in most countries. Sir, we should continue to monitor and basically target education at these people, which is being done, because the Traffic Police has targeted public education programmes in the army camps, for example, when riders do National Service, or in tertiary institutions. So let us continue with this approach.

Mr Goh Chong Chia (Nominated Member): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State whether it is an offence to ride not in-lane, and whether this in fact contributes to the accidents.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: First of all, there are no designated lanes for motorcyclists. It is certainly an offence to weave in and out. I think that is one of the prevalent behaviours which must be discouraged, because it is dangerous. But the general rule is that a slow-moving motorcyclist should keep to the inner lane, rather than ride on the outer lane.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung: Sir, in view of his answer just now, may I ask the Minister of State whether Traffic Police has been able to identify certain areas in Singapore, eg, the BKE, where there is a special risk to motorcyclists and whether, in such risky areas, there should not be some provision made, eg, in terms of lanes specifically for motorcyclists, so that they do not present a danger to themselves and to other users of the roads as well.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, accidents involving motorcyclists take place all over, not only in expressways but at junctions and along small HDB roads. So I think it is not wise to designate lanes, because it will affect other users of the road as well.

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State about the proportion of accidents involving motorcyclists who got their licence within one year.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, last year, the percentage was 24% which, in fact, is actually an increase. From 1996 to 1999, probationary motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents was about 10%, over a 4-year period. Last year, it was about 24%. So it has increased somewhat. The Traffic Police monitors this trend. It is looking at improving the training regime, for example, working with the three driving schools, to introduce topics such as defensive riding and more responsible riding into the training syllabus and strengthening it.