Errant drivers could face harsher penalties

SINGAPORE: Second Minister for Home Affairs S Iswaran said there are some possible areas that the authorities are looking into —— errant drivers could face harsher penalties, while more speed cameras will be installed and more Traffic Police officers will be deployed to make the roads safer.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Police Security Command on Thursday, Mr Iswaran highlighted concerns such as speeding and beating the red light.

He said the authorities will step up road safety in areas that are more prone to accidents and better protect "vulnerable road users", such as young and elderly pedestrians.

Mr Iswaran said besides enforcement and penalties, road users have to be educated.

His comments came on the heels of an accident in Tampines on Monday, when two boys died after they were hit by a cement mixer.

Asked about a suggestion by Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng to re—route heavy vehicles in residential estates, Mr Iswaran said it is not possible to completely avoid having heavy vehicles going through residential areas.

However, Mr Iswaran added it can work in the context for the duration for the construction project to find a path of least concern from point of view of traffic safety.

He said heavy vehicle drivers have to understand their responsibilities because the accidents they could be involved in have severe consequences.

— CNA/ck/fa