Straits times report: Immediate licence suspension

[Ithunk]

THE driving licence of motorists who commit serious driving offences will be immediately suspended while they are being investigated, instead of waiting until they are charged in court.

 

The move to give police more power to act against errant drivers was part of the changes to the Road Traffic Act passed in Parliament on Wednesday.

 

In explaining the need for the change, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee cited the case of a motorist, who had caused the death of a young woman sales agent while test-drving a sports car. The driver lost lost control of the car and caused an accident which killed the woman agent.

 

The man was ultimately jailed for seven months for reckless driving and disqualified from driving for 10 years - 18 months after the accident.

 

'During this time, members of the public expressed concern that the motorist could resume his car-shopping activities, despite the crash and death of his passenger,' said Associate Professor Ho.

 

He added that it was in the interest public safety that motorists be disallowed from driving during the investigation.

 

But he added that 'immediate suspension will not be imposed in all cases where death or serious injury or serious damage to structures or building is caused.'

 

'Moreover, the suspension will be rescinded if investigations subsequently reveal that the motorist was not responsible for the offence or it is decided that the motorist will not be charged or that the charge would be withdrawn. In addition, an appeal can be made to the Minister within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice,' said the minister.

 

source

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_578946.html

 

drive safe everyone....be a gentlemen signal when changing lanes and drive safe...

 

 

[Kopites]

Why took them so long to change the law? The case happened so many years back. Is it cos of erection round the corner? I hate to relate recent rule changes to coming erection but just can't help it. Anyhow is better late than never. Merely my opinion.

[Ferraricalifornia]

well,

 

it's not gonna change anything ain't it???

[PaiKia-Lee]

Is this minister retarded? The accused was sent to jailed and even released for almost one year already. Can our government do things faster or not since they are getting the WORLD HIGHEST salary.

 

Or is it time to increase pay again?

[Ferraricalifornia]

most of the court cases you see are backdated....

 

like 2-3yrs ago cases....

[Blackyv]

what "cheaper", "better" and "faster"... should be "expensive", "lousy" and "slow".....

[Maroon5]

sibeh wayang...lately they are sibeh active..today supposedly they wil debate abt YOG budget over by 3 times and the sudden stop of the IR buses...yawn..

[Hermitage]

Well, I for one am not for it! Especially, if the case didn't casue a death but "serious" injury or "serious" damage to structures. What is their definition of "serious", the term isn't very measurable.

 

Also, it flys in the face of the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Or the 'Presumption of Innocence' manifesto, which is a legal RIGHT of any accused person/s in many countries. Until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, I believe that such persons be allowed to retain their licenses.

[Whitemondeo]

A clear indication general erection is coming. No need to wait so long just to implenment this law. All must wayang wayang, take bus lah, remove RWS buses.. etc.

[Benarsenal]

  On 9/15/2010 at 1:46 PM, Hermitage said:

Also, it flys in the face of the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Or the 'Presumption of Innocence' manifesto, which is a legal RIGHT of any accused person/s in many countries. Until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, I believe that such persons be allowed to retain their licenses.

 

Welcome to Singapore bro. Here it's guilty until proven innocent.

[Ladykillerz]

it seemed like there is a link between traffic congestion via reduce cars on the road via new rule.

[Elfenstar]

  On 9/15/2010 at 1:46 PM, Hermitage said:

Well, I for one am not for it! Especially, if the case didn't casue a death but "serious" injury or "serious" damage to structures. What is their definition of "serious", the term isn't very measurable.

 

Also, it flys in the face of the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Or the 'Presumption of Innocence' manifesto, which is a legal RIGHT of any accused person/s in many countries. Until proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt, I believe that such persons be allowed to retain their licenses.

 

Not entirely true. Melbourne has the same law.

[Subarugt]

wow speeders beware

[Blackyv]

  On 9/16/2010 at 12:23 AM, Subarugt said:

wow speeders beware

 

Go read again, it has nothing to do with speeding...

[Yaloryalor]

  On 9/15/2010 at 1:34 PM, Maroon5 said:

sibeh wayang...lately they are sibeh active..today supposedly they wil debate abt YOG budget over by 3 times and the sudden stop of the IR buses...yawn..

 

安抚民心。。

[Ferraricalifornia]

yawn....

 

bored of wayang shows already....

[Swingarm]

What to do? Our gahment work this way. What can we do? Whinning inside forums?

[Yuan]

  On 9/15/2010 at 12:24 PM, Ithunk said:

THE driving licence of motorists who commit serious driving offences will be immediately suspended while they are being investigated, instead of waiting until they are charged in court.

 

The move to give police more power to act against errant drivers was part of the changes to the Road Traffic Act passed in Parliament on Wednesday.

 

In explaining the need for the change, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee cited the case of a motorist, who had caused the death of a young woman sales agent while test-drving a sports car. The driver lost lost control of the car and caused an accident which killed the woman agent.

 

The man was ultimately jailed for seven months for reckless driving and disqualified from driving for 10 years - 18 months after the accident.

 

'During this time, members of the public expressed concern that the motorist could resume his car-shopping activities, despite the crash and death of his passenger,' said Associate Professor Ho.

 

He added that it was in the interest public safety that motorists be disallowed from driving during the investigation.

 

But he added that 'immediate suspension will not be imposed in all cases where death or serious injury or serious damage to structures or building is caused.'

 

'Moreover, the suspension will be rescinded if investigations subsequently reveal that the motorist was not responsible for the offence or it is decided that the motorist will not be charged or that the charge would be withdrawn. In addition, an appeal can be made to the Minister within 14 days of receiving the suspension notice,' said the minister.

 

source

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_578946.html

 

drive safe everyone....be a gentlemen signal when changing lanes and drive safe...

 

In my opinion, the application of these legal changes/provisions is quite subjective and difficult in respect of its enforcement considering that its position is much contrary to many other common law positions in other commonwealth countries. The law governing/regulating such traffic violations, including, dangerous or reckless driving causing death or injury to road users in Singapore, has its "lacuna" for so many years. If there need be any changes/improvements, consideration should be had for not just one particular case but also other cases over the years that the "lacuna" or loopholes have resulted in the law failing to handle or deal with comprehensively.