Friday, July 1, 2016

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?

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