TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS (New drivers)

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TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS:

(New drivers): 6.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs what was the annual rate of accidents (minor and serious) per thousand drivers in the three years before and after the implementation of the requirement for new drivers to mark their vehicles with a reflective triangle.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, since 1st September

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1994, every new motorist of a Class 2B or a Class 3 motor vehicle is required to display a "P" plate when he rides or drives for a period of one year after obtaining his driving licence.

For the one-year period prior to the implementation of this requirement, ie, 1st September 1993 to 31st August 1994, the rate of fatal and injury accidents per thousand drivers was 5.5. Comparable statistics prior to 1993 are not available. The rate of fatal and injury accidents per thousand drivers after the implementation for the three-year period after 1st September 1994 was 4.9, 5.2 and 5.1 respectively.

Traffic Police does not keep records of non-injury accidents.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for the reply. It seems that the decrement in the accident rate has been from 5.5 per thousand to anywhere from 4.9 to 5.2 per thousand, which is not that much of a decrement, especially if we think of 5.2 and we do not know the data after 1997 and the data beforehand was for only one year. It could well have been a spike year. So, in that light, and also in the light that one of these devices costs about $11 and maybe we need several tens of thousands of them a year, is it not worth considering removing this requirement now?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, this is part of the entire matrix of measures that we have taken to improve road safety. The figures given are general statistics, not pertaining only to accidents involving "P" plate holders. So, whilst the numbers have come down, showing some improvement, in fact, we cannot conclude therefore that it is the scheme that has made it such. But the point is that, from feedback from drivers and from what we have done in general, we can see that the "P" plate has served its function, because

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it has caused other drivers to be more mindful that this person is new and, therefore, they take greater care when their own vehicles are near these drivers. Also, for newer drivers, it probably gives them greater confidence that whilst they are working-in, post getting the licence for one year, others are aware that they are new. So, let us keep this scheme.

Mr Speaker: Last question, Prof. Png.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang: Sir, would the Minister agree that, in Singapore, we are very much driven by evidence-based policies and, in this case, it seems that the evidence is very weak and we do know that this costs about $200,000 a year to new drivers? So, it is time we relooked at this policy since the evidence against is $200,000 a year, and some of the arguments, such as the Minister has put forward, that putting on the triangle makes other drivers drive more carefully, then that would be an argument for having every car put on the triangle so that every other driver will drive more carefully.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: First, I would say that the numbers I have given are not really indicative. It is not evidence as such, because it talks about the general accident rates, not just pertaining to "P" plate drivers.

Second, they are a vulnerable group. It is the same approach that we take with other vulnerabe groups, whether it is motorcyclists as a group or senior citizens and young pedestrians as a group. I think for "P" plate drivers who are new, whether they are motorists or motorcyclists, they are a vulnerable group. Therefore, we should help them become better drivers in the process.

Third, I think $11 for a "P" plate is not too much to ask, for the gain that can be secured from the scheme.