OUTSOURCING OF TRAFFIC FINES (Figures and trends)

Column No : 2119

OUTSOURCING OF TRAFFIC FINES

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(Figures and trends): **

1.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the total number of traffic fines issued to motorists for road obstruction and the monetary value arising therefrom, for this year to-date, compared to the same period before the outsourcing of such traffic fines to plainclothes traffic wardens; and (b) what trends can be drawn from such findings, ie before and after the outsourcing of such traffic fines.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The total number of summonses issued for illegal parking from 1st January to 30th September 2005 was 153,000. The total monetary value of these summonses was $12 million.* For the corresponding period of 1st January to 30th September 1999, prior to the introduction of the Traffic Warden Scheme on 1st November 1999, the total number of summonses issued for illegal parking was 178,000. The total monetary value of these summonses was $13.5 million.

The total number of summonses issued and the monetary value of such summonses are insufficient as indicators of the illegal parking problem. Traffic Police measures the seriousness of the illegal parking problem in each location by the number of summonses issued and the number of complaints received for that area. Since the introduction of the Traffic Warden Scheme, Traffic Police has seen a decrease in the number of locations with illegal parking problems.

Finally, I would like to clarify that there are no plainclothes traffic wardens. All traffic wardens are in uniform when they are on duty.

*This figure reflects the total composition amount of the corresponding summonses issued. The figure is not adjusted if (a) a summons is cancelled upon successful appeal; (b) a subject goes to court instead of taking up the composition offer; or (c) a subject pays a higher fine on the day of his court hearing.