Recourse for Victims of Hit-and-run E-scooter Accidents
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the recourse for victims of hit-and-run e-scooter accidents and the potential for mandatory third-party insurance, as raised by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah. Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan stated that riders failing to render assistance face penalties under the Active Mobility Act and potential Penal Code charges. He advised victims to file police reports and announced a mandatory e-scooter registration regime with identification stickers starting early next year to facilitate enforcement. This registration process will require owners to provide personal particulars, making it easier to identify riders who flee the scene of an accident. Finally, Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan noted that the Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing compensation frameworks and the feasibility of compulsory insurance.
Transcript
46 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the recourse for pedestrians after they are being knocked down by an e-scooter and the rider has fled the scene; and (b) whether LTA will introduce compulsory third-party insurance for e-scooters to protect pedestrians.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Under the Active Mobility Act, a cyclist or rider of a personal mobility device (PMD) involved in an accident on a public path must stop to render assistance and provide his or her name and address to the injured person. Those who fail to do so will be liable, upon conviction for a fine of up to $3,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders would be liable for higher penalties. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the cyclist or PMD rider may also be charged for speeding or reckless behaviour under the Active Mobility Act or for causing hurt to others by a rash act under the Penal Code.
Persons involved in hit-and-run accidents with cyclists and PMD riders should immediately file a Police report. To deter errant cyclists and PMD riders, the Land Transport Authority will also be introducing a mandatory registration regime for e-scooters by early next year. Under this regime, all e-scooter owners will need to provide their personal particulars as part of the registration process and paste the identification stickers prominently on their devices. This will facilitate easy identification and enforcement against hit-and-run accidents.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing the active mobility insurance and compensation framework, including the option of compulsory third-party insurance. The Panel will weigh the need for this against the impact on the large majority of responsible users and also take into account the practices of other jurisdictions. The Panel will complete its review and publish its recommendations by the end of the year.