Actions against Cyclists who Ride Against Traffic or Beat Red Lights Resulting in Accidents
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the duty of care expected of motorists towards errant cyclists and the penalties for cyclists who flout traffic rules, as raised by Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong. Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam stated that cyclists who ride against traffic or beat red lights can face fines of up to $2,000, imprisonment, or harsher Penal Code punishments for egregious accidents. He clarified that all road users owe a duty of care to others, and motorists cannot ignore cyclists who are in breach of rules if an accident is preventable. Consequently, liability is determined based on specific facts, and both parties may be penalized under different laws depending on their actions. Civil law further allows for the apportionment of responsibilities between the involved parties when legal claims are made for injuries or damages.
Transcript
10 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Home Affairs in respect of cyclists who ride against the traffic or beat red lights (a) what is the duty of care expected by the Traffic Police of all motorists (who are otherwise traversing public roads lawfully) towards such cyclists; (b) whether motorists will be penalised by way of demerit points or fines in the event of any ensuing accident; and (c) what actions will be taken against such cyclists for accidents caused as a result.
Mr K Shanmugam: All roads users, including cyclists, are required by law to use roads in a safe and responsible way. Road users who flout traffic rules and drive or ride in an irresponsible manner put themselves and other road users at risk.
Parties at fault will be penalised under the law. For example, cyclists who ride against the flow of traffic or fail to conform to traffic light signals, or ride without due regard for the safety of others, may be liable for an offence. First-time offenders may be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $2,000, imprisoned up to six months, or both. For egregious cases which result in an accident and injury to other road users, harsher punishments under the Penal Code will be imposed.
The Member has also asked about the duty of care of motorists towards cyclists who may be cycling against the flow of traffic. It is difficult to give a general response, since the law is often fact-specific, beyond stating that every road user owes a duty of care towards other road users. Members will, however, appreciate that it does not automatically mean that motorists can ignore another road user who may be in breach of the rules. For example, the fact that a pedestrian is crossing the road at a wrong place does not automatically mean that a motorist can ignore him and drive into the pedestrian and cause serious injury, when the motorist could have, in fact, stopped in time. In such cases, both parties may be liable, under different traffic rules. And civil law also has a way of apportioning the responsibilities, when claims are made.