Expedite timetable, train lorry drivers
The following article was published in TODAY on 24 June 2010.
Expedite timetable, train lorry drivers
by Jeremy Koh
TODAY
Jun 24, 2010
After recent accidents, Dr Lim Wee Kiak wants safety rules to kick in quickly
SINGAPORE - Nine male workers were injured when a lorry they were in skidded and crashed into a tree at the junction of Jurong Port Road and Jalan Buroh yesterday morning.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said all nine suffered cuts and bruises and were sent to hospital. The boss of Siling Engineering Transportation Company, Mr Simon Subra, claims the lorry was not overcrowded at the time.
It is the second accident involving a vehicle carrying foreign workers in two days. On Tuesday, three workers were killed when their lorry overturned along the PIE.
Chairman for the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, said new rules to enhance the safety of workers transported on lorries should kick in sooner rather than later.
He was referring to measures introduced by the Land Transport Authority last September, some of which will only take effect in 2012.
Rules already in place include a lower maximum allowable height of a seated worker and enhanced penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations.
But lorry owners have till September 2012 to install higher protective side railings and canopies. A ruling to reduce the number of workers that can be transported will also only take effect that same year.
Speaking to MediaCorp, Dr Lim urged the authorities to expedite the timetable before more lives are lost. He also called for more training for lorry drivers who ferry passengers.
"Perhaps they should only be allowed on the left lane and travelling at a lower speed because there are passengers on board. In the long run, the ministry should consider if we should completely phase out allowing lorries to transport workers," said Dr Lim.
Expedite timetable, train lorry drivers
by Jeremy Koh
TODAY
Jun 24, 2010
After recent accidents, Dr Lim Wee Kiak wants safety rules to kick in quickly
SINGAPORE - Nine male workers were injured when a lorry they were in skidded and crashed into a tree at the junction of Jurong Port Road and Jalan Buroh yesterday morning.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said all nine suffered cuts and bruises and were sent to hospital. The boss of Siling Engineering Transportation Company, Mr Simon Subra, claims the lorry was not overcrowded at the time.
It is the second accident involving a vehicle carrying foreign workers in two days. On Tuesday, three workers were killed when their lorry overturned along the PIE.
Chairman for the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, said new rules to enhance the safety of workers transported on lorries should kick in sooner rather than later.
He was referring to measures introduced by the Land Transport Authority last September, some of which will only take effect in 2012.
Rules already in place include a lower maximum allowable height of a seated worker and enhanced penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations.
But lorry owners have till September 2012 to install higher protective side railings and canopies. A ruling to reduce the number of workers that can be transported will also only take effect that same year.
Speaking to MediaCorp, Dr Lim urged the authorities to expedite the timetable before more lives are lost. He also called for more training for lorry drivers who ferry passengers.
"Perhaps they should only be allowed on the left lane and travelling at a lower speed because there are passengers on board. In the long run, the ministry should consider if we should completely phase out allowing lorries to transport workers," said Dr Lim.
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