Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, who is also the spokesman for the government’s top advisory Executive Council, announced yesterday that the government has finished a bill amending the Road Traffic Law, which proposes the implementation of a driving-offence points system, according to which a driver will be barred from driving for a certain period of time after a certain number of points have been deducted because of having committed certain traffic offences.
The amendment bill will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL) in due course for debate, review and vote.
Addressing a press conference at Government Headquarters yesterday, Cheong noted that the Road Traffic Law enacted in 2007 has been in force for over 16 years, adding that certain provisions listed in the law are making it difficult for the government to tackle the city’s current traffic situation.
Cheong said that the government has drafted the amendment bill after listening to opinions from the public and various segments of civil society.
Transport Bureau (DSAT) Director Kelvin Lam Hin San said that the proposed driving-offence points system will have a total of 12 points. The bill proposes that a driver will be barred from driving for three months after six points have been deducted, while he or she will be barred from driving for six months after all 12 points have been deducted.
In which case, according to Lam, the driver will also be required to pass an exam for the temporary ban on driving to be lifted.
According to Lam, the bill proposes that a driver who has five points deducted within a two-year period, i.e., still having seven points on his or her record, can obtain three points if he or she chooses to take an exam and pass it, in which case the driver will be required to pay for the exam.
According to Lam, the traffic offences to be covered by the proposed driving-offence points system will include the driver’s refusal to follow traffic police officers’ instructions.
Moreover, according to Cheong, the bill also proposes to raise the penalties for drunk driving, drug driving, and speeding.
In addition, Lam said, the bill also proposes to fine pedestrians who “use” mobile phones when crossing the road. He did not further elaborate.
Transport Bureau (DSAT) Director Kelvin Lam Hin San speaks during yesterday’s Executive Council press conference at Government Headquarters in Nam Van. – Photo courtesy of TDM
