Public safety & law — Topics

11 Jul 2018

Self-driving Vehicles Being Tested on Public Roads

14 autonomous vehicles are currently authorized for trials in designated areas such as one-north and NUS, with stringent safety requirements including safety assessments, a safety driver, fault alert systems, and data recorders.
Trials are conducted in phases, starting with lightly used roads, and will expand only when AVs demonstrate higher competence, with LTA requiring proof of safety before allowing driverless operation.
Following a fatal incident in Arizona, questions were raised about safety protocols, with the Minister affirming a phased, tiered approach to build confidence and emphasizing that the goal is to make roads safer than with human drivers.
The government will hold back deployment if a technology does not meet safety standards or fails to learn from incidents, with regular reviews and enhancements to safety measures.

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10 Jul 2018

After-arrest Mental Healthcare Provided for Mental Illness Cases

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong inquired about the after-arrest mental health care provided to individuals with mental illnesses involved in incidents leading to their arrest.
K Shanmugam responded that the Police arrange for a trained volunteer to accompany mentally ill persons during interviews with investigation officers.
By the end of 2018, the Police will pilot the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme (HT CARES) at a Land Division to assist arrested persons needing mental illness treatment.
Under HT CARES, social workers contracted by the Police will work with offenders to identify underlying issues that may have led to the offence.
The effectiveness of the pilot will be studied before deciding on further steps, with more details to be released later.

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10 Jul 2018

Recourse for Victims of Hit-and-run E-scooter Accidents

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked what recourse pedestrians have after being knocked down by a hit-and-run e-scooter rider and whether compulsory third-party insurance for e-scooters will be introduced.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that under the Active Mobility Act, riders involved in accidents must stop and provide details, with penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both for hit-and-run offences.
He advised victims to file a Police report and noted that the Land Transport Authority will introduce a mandatory registration regime for e-scooters to aid identification and enforcement.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is reviewing the insurance and compensation framework, including compulsory third-party insurance, with recommendations expected by year-end.
The review will balance the needs of pedestrians against the impact on responsible users and consider practices in other jurisdictions.

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10 Jul 2018

Projects Undertaken by PIE Viaduct Collapse Contractor

Miss Cheng Li Hui inquired about the number of projects undertaken by Or Kim Peow Contractors, safety measures in place, the need for stronger supervision, follow-up actions with implicated consultancy firms, and how the Ministry ensures responsible performance by these firms.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that LTA mutually terminated the TPE-PIE Changi Viaduct contract with Or Kim Peow Contractors, appointed an independent engineer to assess structural safety, and will demolish unsafe structures.
Or Kim Peow Contractors has two other LTA contracts for covered linkways, with increased inspections showing no safety non-compliance, and LTA ensures compliance through site supervisors, regular inspections, and training dialogues.
The implicated consultancy firms will be replaced, and their consultants face legal charges under the Building Control Act and Workplace Safety and Health Act, with LTA assessing past performance in future tenders.

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10 Jul 2018

Design PMD Rules to Keep Elderly, Younger and Disabled Pedestrians Safe

The Minister for Transport explained that PMD safety rules, including speed limits, device restrictions, and a code of conduct, were developed through public consultation and are enforced alongside education efforts.
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is currently reviewing areas such as speed limits, helmet use, and insurance frameworks, with recommendations expected by year-end to enhance safety.
The Minister emphasized that individual responsibility and respect for other path users are crucial for ensuring safe sharing of public paths.

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10 Jul 2018

Minimum Age for Users of Electric Bicycles, E-scooters and PMDs

Dennis Tan Lip Fong proposed setting a minimum age limit of 18 for users of electric bikes, e-scooters, and other PMDs for safety reasons.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that there is already a minimum age of 16 for power-assisted bicycles due to road use, but no age limit applies to PMDs like e-scooters since they are restricted to off-road paths.
He emphasized education over age bans, noting the Land Transport Authority’s Safe Riding Programme in schools to promote safe habits for PMD users.

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10 Jul 2018

Increasing Incidents of Fires Involving Personal Mobility Devices

Saktiandi Supaat inquired about measures to address fires involving personal mobility devices, enhance fire safety for estates with many elderly residents, and the possibility of installing sprinklers in new BTO estates.
Lawrence Wong stated that HDB blocks are designed to meet fire safety codes and have features like concrete walls and fire-rated doors to contain fires, with regular reviews and upgrades for older blocks.
He noted that sprinklers are required only in specific HDB areas like car parks and communal facilities, and the SCDF does not currently mandate sprinklers in residential units.
Emphasizing prevention, he advised residents to buy PMDs from reputable sources and avoid battery overcharging or tampering, while the LTA studies safety requirements for motorised PMDs.

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10 Jul 2018

Action against Sale of Illegal and Sexual Enhancement Drugs at Junction of Aljunied Road and Geylang Road

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef called for stricter enforcement against the open sale of illegal and sexual enhancement drugs at the Aljunied Road and Geylang Road junction.
Since 2015, a multi-agency approach involving Police, Central Narcotics Bureau, and Health Sciences Authority has been implemented in Geylang, with an operations centre established in 2016.
In 2017, over 350 operations led to more than 50 arrests and the seizure of about 735,000 units of such drugs, with offenders facing fines, imprisonment, or repatriation.
Enhanced surveillance includes 171 additional cameras and improved street lighting since 2015 to deter and detect illicit activities in the area.
Authorities will maintain a tough enforcement approach and further step up actions as needed.

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10 Jul 2018

Remedial Steps to Improve Workplace Safety by PIE Viaduct Collapse Contractor

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned whether Or Kim Peow Contractors (OKP) has taken remedial steps to improve workplace safety, if it remains under the Business Under Surveillance (BUS) programme, and if all its worksites have been inspected for systemic safety failures following the July 2017 incident.
Mrs Josephine Teo confirmed that OKP has been under BUS monitoring since July 2017, has developed an action plan, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is working with OKP to monitor its implementation.
MOM inspected all OKP worksites after the 2017 accident and will continue inspections under the BUS programme.
Due to ongoing legal charges against OKP under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the Ministry cannot comment on whether the incident reflects systemic safety failures or a deterioration in standards.

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10 Jul 2018

Proposal to Tighten Regulations for Users of Personal Mobility Devices

Seah Kian Peng proposed tightening regulations for all personal mobility device (PMD) users, including compulsory licensing and mandatory public insurance.
The government accepted the Active Mobility Advisory Panel's recommendation to introduce mandatory registration for e-scooters from early next year, but not for other PMDs like hoverboards and unicycles due to lower usage and speeds.
The Panel is reviewing insurance and compensation frameworks, including optional compulsory third-party insurance, and will weigh the impact on responsible users against safety needs.
The review will consider practices from other jurisdictions and is expected to conclude by the end of the year, with recommendations to be published.

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10 Jul 2018

Enforcement Action against Errant Users of Personal Mobility Devices

Sylvia Lim questioned the Minister for Transport on enforcement actions taken against errant users of personal mobility devices since the Active Mobility Act began.
Khaw Boon Wan referenced a prior reply from the 9 July 2018 Parliament Sitting for details on enforcement actions.
The response pointed to an official report on the number of errant users caught since the Act commenced.
The debate highlighted ongoing concerns about safety on public paths involving personal mobility devices.
The exchange emphasized the government's reliance on previously provided data to address parliamentary queries.

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10 Jul 2018

Transport Safety Investigations Bill

The Transport Safety Investigations Bill is introduced to provide a legal framework for investigating transport occurrences and enhancing transport safety, with related amendments to other Acts.
The bill is presented by the Senior Minister of State for Transport on behalf of the Minister for Transport and undergoes its first reading in Parliament.
The bill is scheduled for a second reading at the next available parliamentary sitting and will be printed for further review.

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10 Jul 2018

Profile of Victims of Internet Love Scams

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that most victims of Internet love scams are women aged 30 to 60, with scammers using social media and dating platforms to build trust before stealing money, and outlined efforts like public education campaigns, an anti-scam helpline, and the Transnational Commercial Crime Task Force which has seized over $1 million and closed 300 accounts, leading to a decline in cases.
Mr. Melvin Yong expressed concern about the persistence of these scams and asked for a review of public education effectiveness, along with two supplementary questions on the amount of money recovered and returned to victims, and the availability of counselling or financial assistance for affected individuals.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that while the Task Force works to recover funds through the courts, full retrieval is difficult due to the transnational nature of the scams, and noted that victims can seek support from social service organizations, grassroots groups, and Family Service Centres, while emphasizing prevention through public advisories.

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10 Jul 2018

Industrial Fire Trends and Spot Checks to Ensure Compliance to Safety Measures

Between 2015 and 2017, Singapore recorded an average of 150 industrial fires annually, with SCDF conducting about 10,000 fire safety inspections per year on industrial premises, leading to around 3,200 enforcement cases annually, including fines and prosecutions for serious infringements.
Industrial premises with 1,000 or more occupants or a floor area of 5,000 sqm or more must appoint a fire safety manager, with over 85% of such premises complying, and very large premises requiring a senior fire safety manager with additional experience and qualifications.
Under the Fire Safety Act, certain industrial premises and companies storing significant quantities of flammable materials must form a company emergency response team (CERT) of at least six members trained in firefighting, rescue, and first aid to act as first responders before SCDF arrives.

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10 Jul 2018

Ragging Culture in SAF

The Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse or ragging, with comprehensive safety management systems and strict authorization required for all training activities.
Unauthorized activities, bullying, or non-compliance with safety regulations are severely punished through military or criminal prosecutions, as evidenced by past cases resulting in detention or imprisonment.
SAF personnel are encouraged to report any unauthorised activities or punishments through designated hotlines and feedback units, with every complaint investigated thoroughly.

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9 Jul 2018

Counselling for Children or Young Persons in Statutory Rape and Sexual Misconduct Cases Carried out by Persons Known to Victims

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned the sufficiency of current services for statutory rape and sexual misconduct cases involving children and known perpetrators, and whether mandatory counselling would be extended to families of victims in such situations.
Desmond Lee outlined that interagency protocols and services support victims and families, with MSF and SPF intervening to ensure child safety, provide trauma recovery support, and investigate perpetrators.
The government is piloting a one-stop multidisciplinary approach to reduce trauma for child victims during investigations, and courts can order perpetrators to undergo counselling or rehabilitation programmes.
Prevention through school-based education on personal safety, recognizing abuse, and seeking help is emphasized, alongside public awareness to report suspected cases to relevant authorities.
The government continuously reviews and improves interventions, aligning with international practices, and encourages public participation in protecting children from abuse.

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9 Jul 2018

Installation of CCTVs in Multi-storey Car Parks and Lifts

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked whether HDB can install CCTVs in multi-storey car parks and lifts to deter crime and smoking, Lawrence Wong responded that Police cameras are already in place at strategic spots in car parks and that HDB will add CCTVs in lifts where necessary.
Wong noted that the Singapore Police Force collaborates with HDB and Town Councils on security, while the National Environment Agency handles smoking violations, with enforcement officers deployed.
The Minister emphasized that residents must be considerate and avoid smoking in lifts, and that current measures are effective in deterring crime.

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9 Jul 2018

Educational Levels Attained by Prison Inmates

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested a breakdown of educational levels for inmates entering Drug Rehabilitation Centres, Long-Term Imprisonment 1, and Long-Term Imprisonment 2 regimes over the past three years.
K Shanmugam provided tables showing the educational attainment of inmates upon admission to DRC, LT1, and LT2.
The data reflects self-declared educational levels by inmates at the time of entry into these regimes.

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9 Jul 2018

Root Cause of Fire in Pulau Busing and Measures in Place to Handle Such Emergencies

The fire at Pulau Busing was preliminarily caused by a lightning strike on an oil storage tank rooftop, and the root cause of why the tank's lightning protection system failed is still under investigation.
Mandatory firefighting measures, including a Company Emergency Response Team (CERT) and specific firefighting equipment, helped contain the fire before the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived.
SCDF mounted a large-scale, complex operation involving 128 personnel and 48 vehicles, deploying special equipment to prevent the fire from spreading and to extinguish it after six hours.
The industry-led Emergency Mutual Aid scheme, where neighbouring companies provided resources, also contributed to handling the emergency.
The response demonstrates that while emergency resources are mobilised from the mainland, initial containment is handled by on-island capabilities as required by regulation.

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9 Jul 2018

Incidents of Vehicles with Objects not Properly Secured and Falling off onto Roads

Between 2015 and 2017, the Traffic Police recorded 248 instances of unsecured vehicle loads, with 80% involving heavy vehicles, and 13 related accidents, 11 of which involved heavy vehicles.
The police conduct regular enforcement operations, particularly on roads used by heavy vehicles, with offenders facing fines up to $180 and up to six demerit points.
The authorities engage heavy vehicle fleet-owners and drivers through road-safety dialogues to promote best practices for securing loads.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council issues advisories and guidelines on safe loading techniques to help reduce such incidents.

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