Question
Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of incidents of vehicles with objects not properly secured and falling off onto the roads in the past three years; (b) how many of such occurrences resulted in an accident; (c) how does LTA track such incidents and accidents; and (d) what are the measures to reduce such cases from occurring.
Answer:
1. Between 2015 and 2017, Traffic Police (TP) enforced against 248 instances of drivers who failed to properly secure the loads on their vehicles. Of these, heavy vehicles accounted for 80%.
2. In the same period, 13 accidents occurred due to vehicle loads falling onto the road, 11 of which involved heavy vehicles.
3. To deter motorists from driving with unsecured loads, TP conducts regular enforcement operations, particularly along roads used by heavy vehicles. Offenders are liable for composition fines of up to $180 and up to six demerit points.
4. TP also regularly engages heavy vehicle fleet-owners and drivers, through road-safety dialogues. TP uses these dialogues to share and encourage the adoption of best practices, including those related to securing loads on vehicles.
5. In addition, the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) has issued advisories, such as the “Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines on Safe Loading of Vehicles”. Among other things, these advisories provide guidance on proper loading techniques for different types of cargo.
