Look out! Unmarked patrol cars on the road
By Sharon See |
Posted: 08 October 2011
SINGAPORE: Traffic police will use unmarked patrol cars in addition to their normal fleet of marked cars to conduct enforcement patrols.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs & Trade and Industry, S Iswaran, announced this at the launch of the 5th Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ride Safe 2012 campaign on Saturday.
Mr Iswaran said: "Road safety is every motorist's personal responsibility. It underscores our commitment to safeguard the well being of not just ourselves and our families, but also that of other road users and their families.
"Hence, we expect motorists to adhere to traffic rules at all times, and to exercise due consideration for other road users, especially the vulnerable users like motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and pedestrians."
Traffic police officers in the unmarked cars may either stop the offending motorists to issue them a summons or make a record of the offence and send them a summon later.
Traffic Police will also form a dedicated patrol team that will focus on motorcyclists.
These patrol officers will interact with motorcyclists on the roads to convey road safety advice. If necessary, they will also take enforcement action to correct dangerous riding behaviour.
According to traffic police, the number of fatal accidents has gone up to 193 last year, from 183 in 2009.
Eighty nine were those of motorcyclists last year, while the number was 54 in the first six months of this year.
Senior staff sergeant Neo Chin Loong said: "Traffic police will continue with our education efforts and also with our enforcement efforts.
"We will be clamping down on drivers and riders who are having irresponsible and bad driving behaviours. This is so that we can make the roads safer for everyone."
The last time time Traffic Police used unmarked patrol cars was in 2004.
Volunteer motorcyclists will be going around the island to distribute road safety pamphlets to motorcyclists.
- CNA/ck
