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We tell you what to expect about the new On-Board Unit (OBU) and share a few handy tips, too! The ERP 2.0 is based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, which allows Land Transport Authority (LTA) to manage congestion without the need for physical gantries. It also provides the option to implement distance-based charging in the future. With this move, it will require drivers to change from the previous In-Vehicle Unit (IU) to the new On-Board Unit (OBU). However, after spending the past month with the new OBU, we learned that there's nothing to worry about and in fact, there's plenty to look forward to. Here's what you can expect from the new system. The OBU starts up with a greeting screen, and you can choose whether or not to display the clock Making the appointment Car owners will progressively be notified by LTA via mail, email and/or SMS, on their turn to have the new OBU installed in their vehicles. You'll have a two-month window for this, during which the installation fees are waived. The time it takes to install the OBU depends on several factors, but mainly, it'll depend on your vehicle's make and model. In our experience, it took just under two hours on a weekday afternoon for Cycle & Carriage to fit the OBU to a Kia Cerato. It's best to arrive on time, so that the installer will have enough time to do a proper job and take you through the system once it's done. The antenna will typically be positioned where the IU unit is normally located Decisions and positions The new OBU consists of three components: An optional touchscreen display, a processing unit and an antenna. If you've opted to install the touchscreen, you'll be asked where you'd like it positioned. There is some room for flexibility here, but the placement is limited by the length of the cable. Get behind the wheel and adjust the seat to your preferred driving position. From here, you can tell the installer where you want the screen to be placed. Our advice is to put the screen on your right so that it sits just above the dashboard, making it easy to see/read. On the other hand, if you choose not to have the touchscreen, you'll need to register your smartphone on Onemotoring Digital Services and pair it to the OBU using Bluetooth. There are currently four apps you can choose from to use as an alternative to the touchscreen display. Tapping on 'My OBU' lets you view your OBU number, which is identical to your previous IU number In addition to ERP information such as road pricing alerts and your CEPAS card balance, these apps also offer features such as navigation and real-time traffic information. However, do note that due to security concerns, these apps cannot provide the full functionality of the touchscreen display. The touchscreen is also where you can adjust the system's feedback volume as needed. Without it, you'll be asked to set your preferred volume at the point of installation. You will need to bring your vehicle back to the workshop if you want to adjust the volume again. The processing unit is usually placed on the passenger side, but depending on your car's make and model, it can be located elsewhere, too Remember, if you do decide to install the touchscreen later, you'll need to pay a fee, too, so weigh your options carefully. Meanwhile, the processing unit is typically placed by the centre console on the front passenger's side. There is some flexibility in its placement, but again, this depends on what is feasible for your vehicle. The location of the antenna is quite straightforward, usually at the bottom right of the windscreen. The menu system is simple, so it's easy to tweak various preferences Using the system We found it easy to get acquainted with the OBU. In the settings menu, you can adjust the 'beep' volume and screen brightness and choose whether you wish to display the clock. Having a digital clock is handy, too, because eventually the OBU time is synchronised with the satellites for accurate charging, thus avoiding disputes. More importantly, there is no need to worry about your season parking or any backend payment arrangement. Your IU number will be ported over to the OBU, so you won't have to re-apply or transfer any season parking or even update the backend payments you currently have. On the go, the OBU works just like the IU when it comes to deducting ERP and parking charges. The display helps inform drivers about the ERP charging info, especially in the absence of large physical gantries in the future. Handily, the large screen also makes it easier to view how much you've been charged and your card balance. However, bear in mind that for those carpark gantries that require drivers to tap or insert the CEPAS card, you must still do this even with the OBU. Fortunately, each car owner who installs the OBU will receive a free NETS motoring card that you can keep handy. Now, what if you've signed up for auto-top up feature so that you don't have to keep topping up the CEPAS card, but need to use a complimentary parking coupon? The OBU touchscreen has a button marked 'Card Payment', which can be pressed to temporarily disable card deduction for complimentary button. It is on by default, so tapping it turns off this function and lets you use coupons. There are other new advantages as well. Apart from the aforementioned REP to be rolled out later, the OBU also reminds you to drive carefully when you're in School Zones and Silver Zones, and to avoid driving in the bus lanes. It'll also tell you when you're approaching a fixed speed camera, thereby helping you avoid fines. More functions in the pipeline The OBU is designed to be "upgradeable", so LTA can add features as needed. When these features are ready, they are automatically pushed out over-the-air to the OBUs. There is no need to bring the vehicles back to the workshops for upgrades. The 'Card Payment' button for instance, was seamlessly added without us having to do anything. We didn't have to configure any Internet or WiFi access or login to Singpass. LTA will also introduce real-time traffic incident updates, so that drivers can be warned of congestion or accidents. The OBU will also eventually be able to alert drivers if they are approaching an ERP charging location and allow drivers of Singapore-registered vehicles to seamlessly pay for tolls at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. LTA is also working with the Traffic Police to expand the safety notifications to include more speed camera zones to remind drivers to keep within the speed limits at these locations. Advance notices of road closures are even provided - they will appear when the car is driven near the location so the driver can plan ahead. The OBU installation was relatively painless, and the user experience has been seamless thus far so we can confidently say that there is no cause for worry or anxiety in switching to the OBU. With more features in the pipeline, the OBU will help make driving in Singapore only become more convenient in time.

Is encountering slower drivers on the road an excuse to do a dangerous overtake? Watch this video and decide for yourself. Watch as the incident unfolds just outside of a school: In the video, we can see that the Transcab Prius is attempting to do an overtake, using the lane with potential oncoming traffic. Super dangerous move. If there actually was oncoming traffic, the head-on collision would certainly have a high chance of fatality, especially considering the speeds that the taxi driver is travelling at. The taxi driver finally overtakes successfully. But at what cost? Crossing a continuous white line could potentially net the taxi driver demerit points. Is it really wise to save that few seconds for demerit points, that can cause a taxi driver his rice bowl? Probably not. We meet angry netizens again. This time, one of them says that it would be better to have his license revoked. Looking at the circumstances, we would be inclined to agree. Yet another angry netizen. But this time he takes the side of the taxi driver, saying that the camcar is road hogging. He even gains the support of 26 other netizens with the number of likes and reacts. Despite the overwhelming support this commenter got, we still believe that the taxi driver's actions was not warranted, especially when it was a in a school zone. In fact not only a school zone, but a school with students with special needs. This just makes the whole situation more dangerous to everyone. So it seems that this case divides opinion. Regardless of what your opinion is of the situation, we advise the utmost caution when driving near school zones, and to be alert for any students whop may be playing near or even on the road. ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!

Although I will normally curse and swear at any increase in penalty for traffic offences, I fully understood the need for this particular changes and fully support it. Good initiative to keep our seniors and young children safe. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mha-traffic-offences-silver-zones-school-zones-fines-demerit-14924670 Fines will be increased by S$100 while an additional two demerit points will be incurred for specified offences committed in these zones. In a media release, MHA said: “Elderly pedestrians continue to account for a disproportionate number of traffic accidents resulting in pedestrian fatalities - in 2020, the elderly made up more than 80 per cent of pedestrian fatalities. “While jaywalking by elderly pedestrians contributed to some of these accidents, many accidents also arise from irresponsible driving behaviour on the motorist’s part, such as failing to slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing. “The situation may be improved with greater care on the part of motorists.” Silver Zones, introduced in 2014, are located in areas with a large population of senior citizens. These zones typically have a lower speed limit of 40kmh and additional traffic-calming and senior-friendly road safety features, such as additional crossing points and narrower lanes to slow down traffic. School Zones, which are demarcated areas fronting schools, also have enhanced road safety features, with a reduced speed limit of 40kmh during three time blocks on school days and whenever school events are in progress.

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