Drivers Penalised for Not Securing Loads Properly on Trucks in Last Three Years
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the penalties and safety measures for unsecured loads on lorries and trucks, as raised by Ms Rahayu Mahzam. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that between 2017 and 2019, there were 234 violations, with 14 resulting in injuries and no fatalities. He highlighted ongoing educational efforts through Traffic Police engagement sessions and Workplace Safety and Health Council guidelines for proper cargo securing. Under the Road Traffic Act, composition sums were increased in April 2019 to $200 for light vehicles and $250 for heavy vehicles, plus six demerit points. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam concluded that the situation will be monitored before considering further measures, given that penalties were only recently raised.
Transcript
55 Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) over the past three years, how many drivers have been caught and penalised for not securing loads properly on lorries and trucks; (b) how many accidents have there been involving loads falling off such vehicles and injuring road users; and (c) whether there is a need for stronger measures to ensure that drivers secure loads properly to their vehicles.
Mr K Shanmugam: From 2017 to 2019, there were 234 violations of drivers failing to properly secure the loads on their lorries and trucks. Fourteen of these violations resulted in accidents with injuries; there were no fatalities.
Traffic Police (TP) regularly conducts engagement sessions with heavy vehicle drivers to share information on road safety. This includes the importance of properly securing loads on their vehicles. The Workplace Safety and Health Council's advisory on "Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Safe Loading of Vehicles" includes guidance on proper loading and securing techniques for different types of cargo.
Under the Road Traffic Act, it is an offence for motorists not to secure their loads properly. The composition sums for this offence were raised on 1 April 2019 – up to $200 for light vehicles and up to $250 for heavy vehicles. Offenders will also be penalised with up to six demerit points.
As the number of violations detected by TP has generally been low and the composition sums were only recently increased, we will monitor the situation, and consider further action where necessary.