166 PMD offences in first 15 days since stiffer rules kick in

Errant Personal Mobility Device (PMD) users have been caught for committing 166 offences in just the first 15 days since tougher restrictions kicked in this month. A spokesman for the Land Transport Authority (LTA) told The Straits Times that of the offences committed, 102 will be investigated under the Active Mobility Act, which came into effect on 1^st May.

Under the new laws, PMDs have to adhere to weight, width and speed limits, and the rules also spell out where the devices can be used. The rest of the offences committed between 1^st and 15^th May fall under the Road Traffic Act, which prohibits use of PMDs on public roads.

In January, the LTA had announced stiffer penalties for such offences. For example, first-time offenders who ride on local and major roads respectively can be fined $300 and $500 respectively. Before the higher penalties kicked in, the fine was $100.

The stiffer penalties are to safeguard the safety of pedestrians even as the Government continues to push for active mobility towards a car-lite Singapore. On average, there are about three accidents a week involving users of mobility devices.

Between January and September last year, there were 110 accidents. About 30 occurred on public paths between pedestrians and a mobility device. The other accidents happened at road junctions and on roads when users flout traffic rules.

Even as the tougher laws have kicked in, those who own PMDs will have to register their devices from later this year, with the exact date yet to be made public.

While there have been some calls for schools to ban such mobility devices, especially for primary school children, there are currently no plans to do so, The Straits Times understands.

The Ministry of Education said it provides schools with guidelines to support them in ensuring safety within and in the vicinity of the schools, as well as educate students on road safety habits through regular road safety talks.

The safe use of bicycles on roads and footpaths is covered in the Physical Education curriculum and the LTA's Safe Riding programme, the ministry's spokesman said.

And while there is no ban, she said, "Apart from parking bicycles on school grounds, schools generally do not allow the use of mobility devices on campus for safety reasons."

The Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces also support the LTA's guidelines on the use of bicycles, personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles on public roads.

"Mindef expects all personnel, including those in uniform, to abide by these guidelines and all other applicable laws and regulations," its spokesman said.