Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Number of PMD-related Fires in the Last Three Years

Question:

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) in the last three years, what is the number of Personal Mobility Device (PMD)-related fires; (b) how many of these fires involve unlicensed PMDs; and (c) how is SCDF working with LTA and other agencies to reduce the number of PMD-related fires.

Answer:

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

1.   There were 102, 42, and 32 fires involving Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. Most of these fires involved unregistered PMDs, which accounted for 66, 26, and 24 fires in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively.

2.    SCDF and LTA co-chair the inter-agency Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce. The taskforce has successfully reduced the number of PMD-related fires over the past years through public education and regulatory controls. For example, the taskforce encourages the disposal of unregistered PMDs. It works with community partners to broadcast safety messages and conducts targeted outreach with industry stakeholders. In addition, LTA has prohibited the use of unregistered PMDs on public paths, introduced an inspection regime for PMDs, and banned the import of non-compliant PMDs into Singapore, except for certain legitimate uses such as research or re-export. The taskforce will continue to work with its partners to further reduce PMD-related fires.