Traffic Accidents Involving Food Delivery or Courier Riders
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye’s inquiry on collecting accident data for delivery riders and enhancing road safety education for these road users. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam responded that while occupations are not tracked, the Traffic Police have expanded outreach through delivery companies and associations. In collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower and other agencies, 2022 guidelines were introduced to improve safety through telematics feedback and training. These measures address risky behaviors and hazardous conditions, such as wet weather and heavy loads, to protect riders on various transport devices. Major delivery and e-commerce companies have already implemented these recommendations to foster safer riding practices and reduce exposure to road risks.
Transcript
10 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry will consider collecting data on the number of road traffic accidents involving motorcycles, power-assisted bicycles and personal mobility devices ridden by persons performing food delivery or courier services; and (b) whether the Traffic Police intends to roll out more road safety public education campaigns targeted at such road users.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Traffic Police (TP) do not actively track the occupation of road users involved in accidents.
That said, TP have been increasing public education efforts targeted at persons working in food delivery and courier services, through the National Delivery Champions Association, as well as delivery companies, such as Grab and foodpanda. These efforts aim to promote safe-riding practices.
TP also partner with the Ministry of Manpower, the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and the Land Transport Authority, to engage these road users and their delivery companies. For example, in November 2022, the Delivery Safety Workgroup set up by the WSH Council, released a set of guidelines on how delivery companies can enhance the safety of their drivers and riders on the road. These guidelines include, providing drivers and riders with feedback on their safety behaviour using telematics; engaging those who show repeated risky behaviours; equipping them with knowledge on how to be safe and reducing their exposure to unsafe situations, for example: rushing during wet weather and riders carrying heavy loads. Many members of the Delivery Safety Workgroup, which include key food, e-commerce and courier delivery companies, have implemented these recommendations.