Lorry drivers caught breaking safety rules
The following article was published in the Straits Times on 15 March 2011.
Lorry drivers caught breaking safety rules
By ROYSTON SIM
Straits Times, Mar 15, 2011
Photo caption: All light lorries must have canopies and higher side railings installed if they are used to transport workers under a new rule which took effect on Feb 1. -- ST FILE PHOTO
ALMOST two light lorries a day on average were found to be flouting rules ensuring passenger safety last month.
Since Feb 1, all light lorries used to transport workers must be fitted with canopies and higher side railings.
According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), 47 lorries - without canopies - and another five - without higher side railings - were flagged down last month.
Lorry owners caught for non-compliance can be charged in court and face a fine of up to $1,000 or a maximum jail term of three months for a first offence. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 or jail of up to six months.
The Government brought forward the deadline for enhanced safety standards from September next year to last month, following two accidents last June which killed three workers and injured 54.
Lorry drivers also face stiffer punishments since Feb 1 for offences such as failing to fill up their front seats first and carrying excess workers.
Mr Andrew Khng, president of the Singapore Contractors Association, said it has repeatedly reminded its 2,000 members about the new rules.
'I can't say much about other industries; maybe there are some unaware that regulations have kicked in,' he added.
Workshops said they are inundated with work so that firms can comply with the rules.
Mr Nicholas Neo, sales manager for Ng Wah Hong Enterprises, said it has jobs all the way to May. It outfits about 15 lorries a day, with work lasting till 11pm daily, including weekends and public holidays.
'We should be quite busy for the entire year, because after we are done with the light lorries, we'll have to retrofit the heavy ones,' he said.
Heavy lorries have until Aug 1 to fit canopies and side railings if used to ferry workers.
Mr Neo said his workshop was collecting advance orders to prevent a logjam of bookings closer to the deadline.
Installing a canopy and side railings costs about $1,600 and $2,400 for light and heavy lorries respectively. Costs are borne by the owners.
On another aspect of road safety - ensuring lorries ferrying workers keep to the speed limit of 60kmh - an LTA spokesman said the authority and Traffic Police are studying the use of technologies and devices to enforce the rule.
She added that the LTA, to drive home the safety message, has distributed stickers, flyers and posters in several languages to lorry drivers and foreign-worker dormitories.
She added: 'We are also working closely with the Ministry of Manpower to educate the employers as well as workers at the dormitories.'
Lorry drivers caught breaking safety rules
By ROYSTON SIM
Straits Times, Mar 15, 2011
Photo caption: All light lorries must have canopies and higher side railings installed if they are used to transport workers under a new rule which took effect on Feb 1. -- ST FILE PHOTOALMOST two light lorries a day on average were found to be flouting rules ensuring passenger safety last month.
Since Feb 1, all light lorries used to transport workers must be fitted with canopies and higher side railings.
According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), 47 lorries - without canopies - and another five - without higher side railings - were flagged down last month.
Lorry owners caught for non-compliance can be charged in court and face a fine of up to $1,000 or a maximum jail term of three months for a first offence. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to $2,000 or jail of up to six months.
The Government brought forward the deadline for enhanced safety standards from September next year to last month, following two accidents last June which killed three workers and injured 54.
Lorry drivers also face stiffer punishments since Feb 1 for offences such as failing to fill up their front seats first and carrying excess workers.
Mr Andrew Khng, president of the Singapore Contractors Association, said it has repeatedly reminded its 2,000 members about the new rules.
'I can't say much about other industries; maybe there are some unaware that regulations have kicked in,' he added.
Workshops said they are inundated with work so that firms can comply with the rules.
Mr Nicholas Neo, sales manager for Ng Wah Hong Enterprises, said it has jobs all the way to May. It outfits about 15 lorries a day, with work lasting till 11pm daily, including weekends and public holidays.
'We should be quite busy for the entire year, because after we are done with the light lorries, we'll have to retrofit the heavy ones,' he said.
Heavy lorries have until Aug 1 to fit canopies and side railings if used to ferry workers.
Mr Neo said his workshop was collecting advance orders to prevent a logjam of bookings closer to the deadline.
Installing a canopy and side railings costs about $1,600 and $2,400 for light and heavy lorries respectively. Costs are borne by the owners.
On another aspect of road safety - ensuring lorries ferrying workers keep to the speed limit of 60kmh - an LTA spokesman said the authority and Traffic Police are studying the use of technologies and devices to enforce the rule.
She added that the LTA, to drive home the safety message, has distributed stickers, flyers and posters in several languages to lorry drivers and foreign-worker dormitories.
She added: 'We are also working closely with the Ministry of Manpower to educate the employers as well as workers at the dormitories.'
Still lorry driver are breaking the rules and are found in these condition with their lorries. Strict steps should be taken towards them so that the cases of accidents for which this is a reason can be reduced.
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