Number of Road Accidents in the Past Year Attributed to Lane Hogging

Question:

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in view of the significant increase in road accidents since 2020 (a) how many accidents in the past year can be attributed to lane hogging; (b) whether penalties will be increased for lane hogging and for heavy vehicles not keeping to the left lane; (c) whether there has been an increase in rear-end collisions occurring near red-light cameras due to sudden braking by speeding vehicles; and (d) what measures are being taken to address such collisions.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. The Traffic Police (TP) does not track the number of road accidents attributed to lane hogging. While lane hogging can be a contributing factor, and give rise to other dangerous driving behaviour such as switching lanes or overtaking without due care, it is usually not itself a direct cause of accidents.

2. Currently, a motorist who commits an offence of lane hogging is liable for up to four demerit points, and a composition sum of up to $150 for light vehicles and $200 for heavy vehicles. A heavy vehicle driver who commits an offence of failing to keep left is liable for up to a composition sum of $150. We will assess whether these remain adequately deterrent, as part of the ongoing review of demerit points and composition sums for road traffic offences.

3. TP does not track the number of rear-end collisions occurring near red-light cameras due to sudden braking by speeding vehicles. As part of its public education efforts, TP reminds motorists to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front, as well as to watch for the stop light on the car and the traffic ahead. This is also included in the Highway Code and learner drivers may be tested on this in the theory test.