Number of Children Under Age 12 Who were Injured in Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Home Affairs of the number of children under 12 years old who were injured in taxis and private hire cars respectively in the past five years, how many were not (i) wearing seat belts and (ii) seated in child car seats at the time of the accident.

Mr Speaker, under the Road Traffic Act, we require all passengers to wear seat belts when travelling in motor vehicles. For passengers under 1.35 metres in height, we require them to be properly secured using approved child restraints, which include child car seats, or using seat belts when seated in booster seat cushions. The latter applies for all motor vehicles except taxis.

Between 2018 and 2022, 48 children under 12 years old were injured in taxis. As the use of child restraints and seat belts when seated in a booster cushion for passengers under 1.35 metres in height is not required for taxis, we do not have readily available data on whether children were seated in child restraints or wearing seat belts during an accident.

For private hire cars, between 2018 and 2022, 63 children under 12 years old were injured in private cars. At the time of the accident, 35 were not wearing seat belts and 28 were not secured using child restraints or seatbelts while on a booster cushion.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Could I ask whether the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) can start tracking, in terms of number of children who are injured in taxi accidents? I think we need to understand that the magnitude of problem, and then, decide whether there needs to be a shift in the policy.

And second clarification relates to the first. Could I ask MHA, from a safety standpoint, why is that this exemption for taxis under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules of 2011? From a safety standpoint, why is that an exemption? I know I have asked the Ministry of Transport (MOT) that, but perhaps, I could hear from MHA what their perspectives are.

Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. This is not the first time the Member has been asking, and in fact, one is we take his suggestion. And second, since the time he started to ask until today, I think we can agree that there have been positive developments.

And if you look back at the answers provided by my colleagues from MOT as well as MHA, you realise that because there are diverse needs within the society, for the transport aspect of it. But at the same time, we also look at the safety of the passengers. And today, you have the ride hail app, which provides that option to those who may want to take this option. At least, three companies have provided that option. This is a very positive development. During some of the pilots that either MOT or MHA had, the response was quite mixed.

So, I think it is something that we need to navigate carefully, but my personal view is that things have moved positively and we need to continue this journey, putting in mind the diverse needs of our people with safety at the forefront.