Calls for More Enforcement Actions at Roads that are Prone to Car Racing
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Ng Ling Ling’s inquiry regarding increased enforcement and preventive measures against illegal late-night car racing following a fatal accident at Tanjong Pagar. Minister of State Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim replied that the Traffic Police conduct regular enforcement at known hotspots and act on intelligence and community feedback. He highlighted that illegal speed trials carry severe penalties including mandatory imprisonment, fines of up to $3,000, and the potential forfeiture of the involved vehicle. The Minister of State noted that while convictions were secured for past cases, 31 arrests from 2018 to 2020 are currently pending investigations or court proceedings. He emphasized a comprehensive road safety strategy that combines community sensing with regular operations to deter racing and ensure the safety of all road users.
Transcript
6 Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Home Affairs in light of the fatal car accident along Tanjong Pagar, whether the Traffic Police will consider more enforcement actions at roads that are conducive for car racing especially in the late nights.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Madam, the Traffic Police (TP) conducts regular enforcement operations at known hotspots. Further, when public feedback is received on such activities, TP will also assess and where necessary mount additional enforcement operations.
The penalties for conducting illegal speed trials include a fine, mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of the vehicle. First-time offenders are liable for a fine not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,000 and mandatory imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months. Repeat offenders are liable for a fine not less than $2,000 and not more than $3,000 and mandatory imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. Police may seize the vehicle used in the illegal speed trials and the Court may order its forfeiture.
From 2015 to 2017, there were five cases of illegal speed trials and 10 persons were convicted. There were four cases from 2018 to 2020, involving 31 persons arrested, which are pending investigations or court proceedings.
Ms Ng Ling Ling (Ang Mo Kio): First, I would like to thank the Minister of State for his reply. I would like to ask the Minister of State if there is an overview of Traffic Police of the roads that are more prone to speed trials and whether there are more prevention measures that can be put in place besides enforcement, to deter. Reasons being that there have been increasing numbers of a residents giving feedback of certain stretches of roads that are very prone to car racing into the midnight. So, my question is whether there are some preventive measures that MHA will consider?
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, we have a strategy to look at, not only illegal speed trials, but also the overall road safety aspects of how we can keep our roads safe, and at the same time, that road users are able to use the roads to carry out their daily activities.
So, with regard to speed trials, we receive feedback and we also conduct enforcement operations. One is when we received the feedback through our sensing and intelligence that we get, not only from the community, but also from people who are working with us and our stakeholders. We know of the areas that are prone to have speed trials and conduct enforcement operations regularly in such areas.
For the Member's concern, we have received feedback relating to some of the issues that she faced in her constituency in relation to illegal speed trials. We have been and continue to conduct enforcement operations.
10.30 am
Mdm Deputy Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. The Clerk will now proceed to read the order of the day.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 8-11 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question No 7 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 5 Mar 2021.]