Speech by Mr. Derrick Goh, MP for Nee Soon GRC, at the Second Reading of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill (Bill No. 8/2021)
Mr Speaker sir,
The usage and safety of our roads is important to our citizens. Over the years, this Government has put in much effort in improving road safety through legislation as well as non-legislative efforts.
Based on traffic police statistics, the efforts have shown to be effective. While traffic fatalities have steadily declined over the last 10 years in absolute terms and a similar downtrend is seen in road traffic injuries sustained, this improvement is even more significant if one considers the other side of the equation – that both road traffic and users have also increased.
Given the limited road capacity in Singapore and increased usage, I am glad that we have continued to re-assess our approach in response to evolving trends and threats to road safety.
The Amendments
The amendments to the Road Safety Act or “RTA” tabled in this House today are even handed in approach with enhanced penalties for higher risk areas whilst recalibrating penalties for example in vehicle forfeiture to reduce the prejudice faced by non-complicit vehicle owners and added new offences as well as requirements factoring new trends related to road traffic usage.
I will now speak on the specific amendments.
On the issue of enhancing penalties for the existing offence of importing or selling unapproved helmets, I welcome this move. This amendment is an enlightened approach by looking at more strategically at the supply chain, to signal to both importers as well as sellers that the sale of unapproved helmets will not be tolerated.
Turning to the increase in penalties for illegal speed trials, I believe that this sends a strong signal to racers that their anti-social behaviour on the roads attract consequences.
The updated penalties are significant with the 1st offence carrying a fine of $5,000 and 12-months’ imprisonment, making the monetary impact 5 times higher and doubling the prison sentence. Given the uptake in illegal speed trials in recent years as mentioned by MOS, will hopefully deter and prevent the needless loss of precious lives and damage to property such as the devastating Tanjong Pagar car crash that happened a few months ago.
Apart from the obvious endangerment to life, illegal speed trials create other social ills that affect even more people in Singapore and that is noise pollution. Similar to members of this house who have spoken on this topic before, my residents at Nee Soon have shared that they are often woken up by the sounds of loud revving cars and motorcycles. This is due to motorists speeding from Yishun Dam to Avenue 1 in Yishun outside their homes in the early hours of the morning. Residents are frustrated with little recourse.
I thank the Traffic Police and LTA officers for responding to our feedback where most recently in March, The Straits Times reported that the joint operations at the Yishun Dam area netted 71 summonses. Of this, 54 or over three quarters related to illegal modifications – this is a very high proportion. These modifications include illegally modified engines and exhaust systems which are the source of noise pollution, causing public nuisance as well as enhancing engine power settings that increases the safety risks to the driver and other road users.
In trying to stem illegal vehicle modification, it was discussed in this house last March that the RTA was updated in 2017 to give more teeth to enforcement efforts against errant workshops to deter them from offering such services.
While enforcement against errant workshops can be challenging, I applaud the LTA for some success in stemming this activity at the source. For example, last week, CNA had reported that a workshop was charged with 3 counts of illegal vehicle modifications under the RTA.
Better detection Vs Enforcement
Given the above, could MOS consider more effective measures to be put in place to address this through better detection instead of what seems to be mainly an enforcement approach which is a cat and mouse game that is often resource intensive.
If our traffic enforcement officers are able to identify illegal vehicle modifications at roadblocks in the early hours of the day, one would expect vehicle inspection centres with specialised equipment to better detect such modifications to engine as well as exhaust systems even if they are not easily visible. Additionally, the vehicle noise test could perhaps be done under more realistic conditions where a vehicle is put under load and accelerated on a rolling stock to detect the “pop and crackle” sound. I hope more thought can be given to how we may overcome these challenges though better detection, and if Minister can provide further updates on this to better protect road users, as well as our community.
On the topic of introducing a single theory test for PABs on the roads, I believe that this would be helpful in ensuring that PAB users are aware of the road traffic rules and behave in a safe manner on the roads. However, I note that the theory test is envisaged to be online and the results are valid lifelong. I raise 3 questions for clarification on how this would be operationalise as I am sure the Public would be very interested in:
(1) If the test is to be done online, whether there will be special arrangements made for those who are not tech savvy, or not as literate such as our elderly PAB users?
(2) Given that the test is valid lifelong, will there be any refresher courses required for PAB users if they are involved in a traffic offence?
(3) I also seek clarification on whether the test will involve a fee, and if it does, are there ways to either subsidise or waive the fee so as not to impose a burden on residents especially those in financial difficulties?
Before I end my speech, I wish to briefly mention about the issuance of fines for offences committed under the RTA. A number of my residents have not been able to waive their traffic fines because of the seriousness of their offences such as beating a red light or speeding, have often appealed to be given an option to pay the fine in instalments. I hope the Minister will consider making instalment payment more readily available so that they can pay fines without being put in a difficult situation which is not the objective of the RTA.
Conclusion
In conclusion Mr Speaker Sir, I support this bill.
Watch the speech here.