368 lorry drivers booked

The following article was published in the Straits Times on 7 July 2010.

368 lorry drivers booked
By Maria Almenoar
Straits Times, Jul 7, 2010

Reproduced photo caption: In addition to stepped-up enforcement efforts, LTA is considering doing more to improve the safety of lorries on our roads. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

A TWO-week enforcement exercise to catch errant lorries flouting safety rules involving workers netted 386 lorries, or 10 per cent of those checked.

Traffic Police also caught 122 drivers for offences such as speeding, failing to wear seat belt and failing to keep left.

The blitz was carried out jointly by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Traffic Police (TP) at Kaki Bukit, Pioneer Road, Tuas and Woodlands.

Offences include carrying more passengers than they should, not filling up front passenger seats first and not displaying a maximum passenger capacity label among others.

The safety of workers while being ferried on lorries has been in the spotlight again recently after a spate of serious accidents last month.

Mr Tan Hiok Seng, LTA's director of Enforcement and Investigations said: 'LTA takes a serious view of those who continue to flout the rules. We have and will continue to step-up our enforcement efforts. We hope that with the cooperation and commitment of all parties, we will be able to create a safer environment for workers.'

In addition to stepped-up enforcement efforts, LTA is considering doing more to improve the safety of lorries on our roads. It is reviewing whether the remaining safety measures announced last August for implementation by September 2012, can be brought forward.

Commander Traffic Police, assistant commissioner of police Christopher Ng said: 'We would like to remind all motorists that speeding, inconsiderate and careless driving are serious offences that have the potential to cause the loss of lives.'

'Traffic Police will spare no efforts in ensuring that such driving behaviour will be kept to a minimum through continued enforcement and outreach.'

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