Less than 10% of required lorries have installed speed limiters

Key Concepts:

• Speed Limiters: Devices installed in vehicles to restrict maximum speed.
• Traffic Police Enforcement: Operations and measures taken by the traffic police to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic laws.
• Lorry Compliance: Adherence to regulations regarding speed limiters and other safety requirements for lorries.
• Road Safety: Measures and initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities on the roads.
• Speeding Offences: Violations of speed limits, a major cause of accidents in Singapore.

Traffic Police Concerns and Enforcement

The traffic police have expressed concern over the low adoption rate of speed limiters in lorries. As of the current date, less than 10% of lorries required to install speed limiters by January of the next year in Singapore have complied since the start of 2024. This low compliance rate prompted the traffic police to conduct a two-day blitz to enforce the regulation.

Laser Technology for Speed Detection

The traffic police are utilizing advanced laser technology in their enforcement efforts. This technology accurately detects the speed of vehicles, acting as a "second pair of eyes" on the road. The laser technology can operate effectively even in low-light conditions.

Speeding as a Major Cause of Accidents

Speeding was identified as the most common traffic offence in Singapore last year, accounting for one in three fatal accidents. In response, the traffic police are employing various measures, including enforcement checks, speed enforcement cameras across the island, and imposing higher penalties.

Enforcement Operations and Vehicle Inspections

During the enforcement operations, officers focused on lorries, stopping drivers for roadside inspections. They specifically targeted vehicles without speed limiter labels. Officers used the opportunity to educate and inform drivers about the deadline for installing speed limiters. Additionally, officers checked that vehicles carried a breakdown sign and that any Coutts was safely secured.

Traffic Violations and Disregard for Traffic Laws

During the operation, more than 30 traffic violations were detected, including 17 speeding offences. A total of 56 lorries were stopped for checks. The traffic police emphasized that this indicates a continued disregard for traffic laws among some lorry drivers, which risks the lives of other road users.

Traffic Police Approach and Recommendations

The traffic police prioritize older and heavier vehicles when it comes to installing speed limiters. They urge lorry owners to install speed limiters early to prevent bottlenecks. Speed limiters are currently supplied by three companies with 23 authorized installers.

Conclusion

The traffic police are actively addressing the issue of speeding and low compliance with speed limiter regulations among lorries. Through enforcement operations, education, and the use of advanced technology, they aim to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by speeding. The emphasis is on early adoption of speed limiters and adherence to traffic laws to protect all road users.