Suggestion for amendment to Road Traffic Act (item 76) OR to State Courts Guide book

It was more than 6 months since I last heard from TP about the need to amend the rules.

I wrote to TP again:-


to SPF, MOT, Efran 

Dear Efran,

With reference to my email enquiry last year.  

Please advise if there any decision to amendment of the roundabout's rule?

As we know, the insurance companies / FIDReC endorse the State Courts' publication rules while LTA endorse the Highway Code/ Road Traffic Act rules.

Drivers need to know which set of rules to comply with.

It seem more advantage to comply with State Courts rules as insurance companies are the one handling our claims.

Thank you,
Mr. Han JK

TP replied as follow :-

Efran KOH (SPF)
Jun 28 (3 days ago)
Reply to all
to me, MOT, SPF 
Dear Mr Han,

            Thank you for your patience. Basically, we have taken note of the scenario within the round-about which you have illustrated, taking reference to your interpretation of the Highway Code as well as the Motor Accident Guidebook published by the State Courts. In fact, this scenario is included in our study of the driving curriculum as a whole. The study is currently ongoing. In the interest of road safety, Traffic Police will like to advise that motorists, when entering and travelling in a round-about, shall always remember to maintain lane discipline, look out for one another, obey the right-hand rule and show consideration for one another.

2          Traffic Police will also like to take this opportunity to clarify that the Highway Code should be understood by motorists as a code of conduct which lists the recommended behaviours that road users should adopt in the interest of road safety. Road users are not bounded by the law to abide by the Highway Code. This is unlike how rules stated under the Road Traffic Act Chapter 276 should be interpreted where they must be followed by motorists and where non-adherence can result in enforcement actions taken . On the other hand, the “Motor Accident Guidebook” published by the State Courts “informs parties of the estimated quantum of damages that can be expected from the wide range of injuries suffered, and is useful for parties to make informed decision in settling their cases involving personal injury”; this is used for civil suits or insurance claims and not to assist in determining the criminal liability for accident cases.

3          Thank you for your attention. Hope the above clarifies. Have a great week ahead.




Efran Koh
Head Service Quality
Service Quality Branch / Traffic Police
Singapore Police Force


I hope someone can step in to clear this matter fast.
There are so many near-miss accident in the roundabout because of this rule.
It concern life and death, not so much about claims.
Must there be a fatal accident then something can be done?
Who created this confusion and which department should be taking responsibility to solve it?

Now I know why motorists are confuse about the roundabout rules.

Last year, I spoke to a lawyer and found out that our State Courts had published "Motor Accident Guide" book to help lawyers, motor insurers and road users to access the likely level of liability that can be expected in any given road traffic accident scenario. This book is available at AA for S$15.

He shown me the roundabout page and I'm shock to find it is the same as the Barometer Of Liability Agreement given to me by NTUC Income.

Now I know why motorists are confused with the roundabout rules.

I went to AA to buy this Guide book.

Page 69 in Guide Book mentioned the reasons:-
1. Drivers should only exit the roundabout from the outer lane.
2. It also did not fault drivers on outer lane who continue within the roundabout without exiting.

This is totally different from the Road Traffic Act.

 Our Highway Code Book/ Road Traffic Act diagrams shows :-
1. Drivers can exit on both inner and outer lane.
2. Drivers on the outer lane must exit.

State Courts guide provides a simple and safe method to exit a roundabout but it is inefficient as only the outer lane can exit therefore caused bottle neck jam at the outer lane.

On the other hand, Highway Code rule is complex but very efficient as traffics on both lane can exit together but dangerous when drivers on the outer lane forget to exit and collided into the inner lane vehicle.

When such collision occurs, who is at fault?

Should drivers comply to the State Courts guides or Highway Code rules?

Complying to State Courts guide has advantage because insurer and adjudicator use this Guide book to settle their claims.

Then the Road Traffic Act or State Courts guides on roundabout need amendment as many drivers are unaware the State Courts had interpreted this rule differently.

I wrote again to Ministry of Transport (MOT)again about this controversial in the State Courts guide.

MOT replied-

Subject: [feedback] Suggestion for amendment to Road Traffic Act (item 76)

Dear Mr Han

We refer to your email dated 14 December 2015 to the Ministry of Transport.

We note your concern on the traffic rules for roundabout in the Road Traffic Act. By copy of this email, we are forwarding it to the Traffic Police (TP) for its attention and follow-up.

Thank you for taking the time to write in.

Yours sincerely

Cecilia Du (Ms)

For Quality Service Manager

Ministry of Transport

Traffic police then replied-

SR#: SR/20151214/0731) - Activity # - 1-841LUP: FW: [feedback] Suggestion for amendment to Road Traffic Act (item 76)

Inbox

x

SPF Feedback TP (SPF) <SPF_Feedback_TP@spf.gov.sg>	12/22/15		Reply to all
to me, Efran, MOT

Dear Mr Han,

            Thank you for engaging Traffic Police. We have taken note of your feedback and suggestion to amend the legislation concerning traffic rules for moving within the roundabout. We have shared your suggestion with the relevant branch for their attention and further study.

2          I will also like to take this opportunity to share with you our internet website should you wish to log on to read more about our road safety initiatives and efforts. (http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/ ) We have also launched a new movement this year called the “Use Your RoadSense” movement and through this road safety initiative, we do hope to garner the community to come together and raise their awareness on road safety while commuting on the roads. If you have a Facebook account, do ‘like’ the page and journey with us on this quest for safer roads.

3          Once again, thank you for writing in to us. Have a great week ahead. Advanced Merry Christmas to you and all at home.   

Efran Koh Head Service Quality Service Quality Branch / Traffic PoliceSingapore Police Force I requested for an update On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 11:46  AM, Han JK  wrote: Dear Efran, Thank you for the reply and greetings, Please update me the result once the relevant branch has come to a conclusion. Merry Christmas to you and all at home. Thank you, Mr. Han JK