School zone, yet 5 drivers run red light every week

[Darthrevan]

 

AS MANY as 110 errant drivers were caught running the red light in school zones in the first six months of this year alone. That translates to an average of nearly five cases a week.

Drivers were also caught for other offences in school zones, such as speeding and tailgating.

The Traffic Police gave these updates in response to queries from The Straits Times.

Since January, road safety in school zones has been beefed up with harsher punishments, after two brothers were killed by a truck in Tampines last year.

Nigel Yap, 13, was cycling across the road with Donavan, seven, who was riding pillion, when the driver hit them.

The police did not have a breakdown of the number of offences committed within school zones before the law was toughened earlier this year.

Those who run a red light in a school zone will get 13 demerit points - one more than before.

For drivers with less than a year's experience, it means their licences will be revoked as they have exceeded the maximum of 12 demerit points in one year.

Speeding was the second most common offence in these demarcated areas. Within the first six months of this year, 23 summonses were issued against speedsters who exceeded the 50kmh limit.

The Land Transport Authority lowered speed limits outside 10 primary schools to 40kmh in January as part of a pilot project which will be rolled out to more schools progressively.

In the first six months of this year, there were also eight cases of inconsiderate driving and 17 instances of careless driving. Examples include tailgating and sudden lane switches.

There are more than 300 school zones at primary and secondary schools.

MP for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng said drivers should keep a lookout at all times in school zones, not just at dismissal hours.

"There are schoolchildren who are coming and going all the time. Some of them stay back for CCA (co-curricular activities), some are waiting for their parents. It's alarming and worrisome the number is so high."

Nurse May Tan, 52, mother of three, said: "I always remind my kids not to take for granted that green light means 'go', and to watch out for speeding cars. I tell them, 'This involves your life'."

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/school-zone-yet-5-drivers-run-red-light-every-week-20140811?page=1

[Thaiyotakamli]

Fierce

 

 

Can see LTA earning big bucks from school zone and drivers with phone

[Jamesc]

Fierce

 

 

Can see LTA earning big bucks from school zone and drivers with phone

 

People speeding in school zones and people cutting queue at causeway

 

I very happy TP get them to contribute to nation building.

 

If they don't want to donate then they should stop doing it.

 

Edited August 11, 2014 by Jamesc

[ExigeTan]

Fierce - If have previous suspension from DIPS - 13 points is instant loss of licence!!

 

Sibei GOOD. Run red light in school zone should smear nut sack with honey and tie them down to fire ant nest

[Thaiyotakamli]

 

People speeding in school zones and people cutting queue at causeway

 

I very happy TP get them to contribute to nation building.

 

If they don't want to donate then they should stop doing it.

 

Yah these two offense are mostly violated one in driving

[ExigeTan]

 

People speeding in school zones and people cutting queue at causeway

 

I very happy TP get them to contribute to nation building.

 

If they don't want to donate then they should stop doing it.

 

 

Giving as cannot praise.

 

Cutting queue at causeway makes me

[Watwheels]

I think to have an effective way to get the drivers's attention that it's a school zone they are entering is to provide more information. Sometimes drivers are not familiar with the area they are in.

 

Of course the draconian way is to dish out fines after fines & demerit points.

 

I mean, which is a more effective way? Thru penalty or thru providing more info to slow drivers down?

[Vega]

If TP allows normal people like you and me to submit these type of traffic offence videos for a commission, i think the number should be much higher.

[Celicar]

Run red light = have TP's attention

 

Run light = have TK's attention

 

One word makes all the difference.

[Vid]

Why only school zone? Should be the whole of Singapore. It's not only school zone that there are people crossing the road.

[lausai88]

School zone violations should be double penalty. Beat red lights 12 demerit points becomes 24 demerit points.

24 demerit points too harsh bah. 1 mistake ban for 1 year?

 

May b is good for coe.

ban, ban, ban ... nobody can drive, coe sure to drop

[Gizmore]

Actually LTA should also do their part by barricading up the whole stretch of the school zone to enforce students to make use of designated pedestrian crossing (zebra or traffic light).

 

Students still dash out of the road to rush to board bus. I know cos I see this too often as my office building is just beside a school.

[Optramagnum]

After deducting 13 demerit points they just need to attend a short course to reinstate 3pts, and they will have 15 pts with them to last for another year.. Hmm, contradicting sometimes.

[Jman888]

After deducting 13 demerit points they just need to attend a short course to reinstate 3pts, and they will have 15 pts with them to last for another year.. Hmm, contradicting sometimes.

 

 

refreshment course is to re-emphasis on the traffic rules that these people forget, i hope if they get caught after that will face more serious punishment.

[ExigeTan]

What is this course? Comfort driving school or something different?

After deducting 13 demerit points they just need to attend a short course to reinstate 3pts, and they will have 15 pts with them to last for another year.. Hmm, contradicting sometimes.