Fewer casualties with stiffer lorry ferrying rul
Straits Times, Aug 2, 2011 By Royston Sim Photo caption: All light lorries ferrying passengers in the back are required to have higher side rails and canopies since February, while a similar rule kicked in to cover heavy lorries yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: SAMUEL HE STRICTER rules to protect workers travelling in the back of lorries seem to be having an effect. Fifty were killed or injured while travelling this way during the first six months of the year, a drop from 90 in the same period last year, police figures showed. All light lorries ferrying passengers in the back are required to have higher side rails and canopies since February. Owners who do not comply can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed for up to three months. By June, 117 had been caught. Yesterday, a similar rule kicked in to cover heavy lorries. But it appears that a substantial number have yet to be retrofitted, as workshops that provide this service said they are still inundated with orders. Mr Nicholas Neo, sales manager f