Per-trip Payment of Heavy Vehicle Drivers

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Government will ban the payment of heavy vehicle drivers on a "per trip" basis to prevent excessive speeding or dangerous driving by the drivers.

There were 10 fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles in the first half of 2018, a significant reduction from the 20 in the same period last year. Nonetheless, we should aim to prevent all accidents.

It is not clear that banning "per trip" payments is the solution. The Traffic Police's investigations have found that the top causes of heavy vehicle accidents are related to driver behaviour: failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to control the vehicle and reckless lane changing. In the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) investigations into heavy vehicle accidents, we found that drivers on other payment arrangements can also exhibit careless driving behaviour.

The Safer Roads Industry Taskforce, comprising representatives from Government agencies, transport and logistics companies and unions, studied the issue of heavy vehicle safety. It concluded that it was more effective to enhance companies' ability to manage driver behaviour, and to build drivers' safety awareness, rather than to ban "per trip" payment. The Taskforce's recommendations in 2016 sought to influence driver behaviour by (a) leveraging technology, (b) expanding driver training, and (c) strengthening company processes and systems.

To leverage technology, the Traffic Police is conducting a trial to study the suitability of speed-tracking devices for heavy vehicles. MOM has also launched a Technology Challenge to fund the development and test-bedding of devices that can improve vehicular safety. Solutions undergoing test-bedding with logistics companies include those that alert drivers of risky behaviour like speeding and tailgating. If the trials are successful, MOM will work with relevant agencies and trade associations to promote adoption of these solutions.

To expand driver training, MOM and the Traffic Police have worked with the Automobile Association of Singapore to launch a heavy vehicle vocational driver training course, subsidised by SkillsFuture Singapore. It provides refresher training on top of that given for the heavy vehicle licensing test.

To improve company processes and systems, the Workplace Safety and Health Council has been educating more companies on safe driving. For instance, under the Drive Safe, Work Safe campaign launched in June 2018, more than 200 companies have pledged their commitment to prevent vehicular accidents.