Tougher penalties for flouting rules on transporting workers

[Zuo Ci]

Tougher penalties for flouting rules on transporting workers
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 17 January 2011 1309 hrs
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SINGAPORE: From February 1, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Traffic Police (TP) will impose higher fines as well as demerit points for non-compliance with safety regulations put in place for the transportation of workers on lorries.

Penalties for first-time offenders will carry demerit points for most offences.

Fines will also be increased to $500 for various offences.

These measures follow the announcement in July last year, that penalties will be enhanced for non-compliance with vehicle safety rules.

The two remaining vehicle-related safety measures were also brought forward to this year.

All light lorries used to transport workers are to be fitted with canopies and higher side railings by February 1.

Heavy lorries will need to comply by August 1, 2011.

The minimum deck space requirement per seated worker will also be doubled to 8 square feet for both light and heavy lorries from August 1.

Lorry owners are therefore required to recalculate the Maximum Passenger Capacity (MPC) and put the correct label on their vehicles by August 1.

-CNA/ac