Improving Safety of Motorcyclists and Pillion Riders
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Murali Pillai’s inquiry regarding further measures to enhance the safety of motorcyclists and their pillion riders. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam responded that the Traffic Police utilize a three-pronged approach of enforcement, education, and engagement. Enforcement involves expanding the traffic camera network and deploying Average Speed Cameras, while education focuses on defensive riding techniques taught at driving schools. Engagement efforts include the "Singapore Ride Safe" campaign and collaborations with corporations to promote protective gear and provide safety advisories. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam concluded by stressing that safety is a shared responsibility requiring all road users to exercise care and follow traffic rules.
Transcript
59 Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs what further measures do the Traffic Police intend to implement to enhance the safety of motorcyclists and their pillion riders using our roads.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Traffic Police (TP) will continue to adopt a three-pronged approach of Enforcement, Education and Engagement to enhance road safety for motorcyclists.
On enforcement, TP will continue to detect and deter offences, such as dangerous driving or riding, red-light running and speeding. Over the next two to three years, it will grow its network of traffic cameras, with additional red-light cameras to be installed at accident-prone junctions.
Next year, TP will deploy Average Speed Cameras. These cameras are able to compute the average speed of a vehicle as it enters and exits an enforcement zone. They will ensure that motorists drive at safe speeds along entire stretches of roads.
However, enforcement is not enough. Motorcyclists must also be alert to the dangers on the roads, ride safely and look out for their own safety. TP will continue to educate and engage them to raise awareness.
Learner motorcyclists are taught safe defensive riding techniques at driving schools. This helps them to avoid accidents and injuries.
TP has stepped up its efforts to raise awareness of road safety amongst the motorcycling community. Such outreach efforts need to be sustained and will remain a key priority for TP in the years ahead. TP has made use of engagement platforms, such as "Singapore Ride Safe", to encourage motorcyclists to wear personal protective equipment when they ride. In 2016, food delivery companies, such as Food Panda and Domino’s Pizza, purchased riding jackets for their delivery riders. TP has also collaborated with other companies, such as PSA Corporation, to provide safe-riding advisories to their riders.
TP will continue its efforts to enhance safety on our roads. All road users have a part to play. Drivers must follow traffic rules and actively look out for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists must do likewise, exercise care and take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their pillion riders.