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TRAFFIC POLICE TO MONITOR MORE ROADS
Slow down, speedsters. Cops have their 'eyes' on you
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
October 13, 2008
MOTORISTS tempted to emulate Formula One drivers be warned.
The Traffic Police are stepping up efforts to record speed demons with laser cameras. And those caught breaking the speed limit can expect to get demerit points and stiff fines.
More roads are now monitored to combat speeding.
In its latest move to deter speedsters, the Traffic police have made public on its website (www.spf.gov.sg/abtspf/tp.htm) all 38 possible locations where they may deploy the speed cameras.
At these locations, which have been updated since June, Traffic police officers with hand-held laser speed cameras can be spotted pointing their cameras at traffic.
But don't try to outsmart the cops even if you can memorise all the spots, because since the enforcement unit is mobile, they can change locations without notice.
For one F1 fan and car enthusiast, the enforcement may appear a dampener, especially after the buzz surrounding Singapore's historical night ace.
Said Mr P H Tan, 35: 'TP (traffic police) have warned drivers where they may set up (their speed cameras). But when they reveal PIE (Pan-Island Expressway) or AYE (Ayer Rajah Expressway) it's vague.
'The expressways are so long. How can we ever anticipate where the speed trap will be on the expressway?'
Snapped and fined
Two weeks ago, Mr Tan, a businessman who has owned fast cars, including a Ferrari, was caught on camera driving at about 85kmh in a 60kmh zone on Hougang Avenue 3 - one of the camera locations.
He was fined $170 and given eight demerit points.
Mr Tan said: 'It was early Sunday morning and traffic was light. I didn't expect to see a TP officer on the overhead bridge. If I had known, I would have definitely slowed down.'
Mr Tan said sports car engines can build up carbon deposits if they are driven slowly for too long.
On the expressways, especially after passing a speed camera, Mr Tan said he would do what many other drivers often do - speed up.
He said: 'The coast is clear, so why slow down? You need to blast in order to flush the carbon in your engine. Looking out for camera deployments can be stressful when you're driving.'
It's precisely drivers like Mr Tan that new rider Fazal N, 33, is concerned about.
Mr Fazal, who got his 2B motorcycle licence in July, is all for deploying more laser speed cameras.
'As a new rider, I have been tailgated by faster cars, which were definitely travelling above the speed limit. They have no respect for riders like me,' he said. 'More speed cameras will only deter speedsters.'
Mr Fazal is also upset about the drastic drop in speed whenever motorists spot a traffic cop holding a speed camera.
Mr Fazal added: 'You will suddenly see brake lights flashing and everybody dropping their speed to 50 or 60kmh on the expressway. I think this sudden slowing down is dangerous to other motorists behind.
'I'm not bothered if the TP points his camera at me because I know I don't ride like a mad man.'
Speed limit ignored
At other locations, like the turn into Bedok North Road from the PIE towards the airport, drivers ignore the 50kmh speed limit.
A speed display, on trial by the Land Transport Authority, show some drivers cornering at 90kmh.
When deployment locations are highlighted on a Singapore map, it would seem that most major roads are being monitored by the traffic cops.
Perhaps, rightly so.
The total figure of speeding summonses in 2007 was 56,067, up 24 per cent from 45,130 in 2006.
Speed had also been a factor in 1,766 fatalities or injuries on the road last year.
But has the F1 race led to any increase in speeding on Singapore streets?
Mr Tan Teng Lip, president of Singapore Motor Sports Association, felt motorists were unlikely to be encouraged to 'take speed to the streets'.
'I don't recall any studies or stories linking motor sport with an increase in illegal racing on the roads,' he said.
'With or without motor racing events, people who want to race illegally on our streets will do so. But there are laws in place to penalise these inconsiderate motorists.'
He said there was a time when illegal drag racing was rampant in Lim Chu Kang.
Today, such activities are rare. All thanks to the vigilant enforcement by TP.
Adding more officers with speed cameras on the road will only keep speedsters in check, he said.
However, with regard to the deployment of laser speed cameras, he wondered if there is a 'buffer zone' for motorists.
'The question is how strictly will the authorities enforce the speed limit? Is there a buffer of several kmh before the traffic police book you?
'Sometimes we go a little over the limit without being aware of it.'
TRAFFIC POLICE TO MONITOR MORE ROADS
Slow down, speedsters. Cops have their 'eyes' on you
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
October 13, 2008
MOTORISTS tempted to emulate Formula One drivers be warned.
The Traffic Police are stepping up efforts to record speed demons with laser cameras. And those caught breaking the speed limit can expect to get demerit points and stiff fines.
More roads are now monitored to combat speeding.
In its latest move to deter speedsters, the Traffic police have made public on its website (www.spf.gov.sg/abtspf/tp.htm) all 38 possible locations where they may deploy the speed cameras.
At these locations, which have been updated since June, Traffic police officers with hand-held laser speed cameras can be spotted pointing their cameras at traffic.
But don't try to outsmart the cops even if you can memorise all the spots, because since the enforcement unit is mobile, they can change locations without notice.
For one F1 fan and car enthusiast, the enforcement may appear a dampener, especially after the buzz surrounding Singapore's historical night ace.
Said Mr P H Tan, 35: 'TP (traffic police) have warned drivers where they may set up (their speed cameras). But when they reveal PIE (Pan-Island Expressway) or AYE (Ayer Rajah Expressway) it's vague.
'The expressways are so long. How can we ever anticipate where the speed trap will be on the expressway?'
Snapped and fined
Two weeks ago, Mr Tan, a businessman who has owned fast cars, including a Ferrari, was caught on camera driving at about 85kmh in a 60kmh zone on Hougang Avenue 3 - one of the camera locations.
He was fined $170 and given eight demerit points.
Mr Tan said: 'It was early Sunday morning and traffic was light. I didn't expect to see a TP officer on the overhead bridge. If I had known, I would have definitely slowed down.'
Mr Tan said sports car engines can build up carbon deposits if they are driven slowly for too long.
On the expressways, especially after passing a speed camera, Mr Tan said he would do what many other drivers often do - speed up.
He said: 'The coast is clear, so why slow down? You need to blast in order to flush the carbon in your engine. Looking out for camera deployments can be stressful when you're driving.'
It's precisely drivers like Mr Tan that new rider Fazal N, 33, is concerned about.
Mr Fazal, who got his 2B motorcycle licence in July, is all for deploying more laser speed cameras.
'As a new rider, I have been tailgated by faster cars, which were definitely travelling above the speed limit. They have no respect for riders like me,' he said. 'More speed cameras will only deter speedsters.'
Mr Fazal is also upset about the drastic drop in speed whenever motorists spot a traffic cop holding a speed camera.
Mr Fazal added: 'You will suddenly see brake lights flashing and everybody dropping their speed to 50 or 60kmh on the expressway. I think this sudden slowing down is dangerous to other motorists behind.
'I'm not bothered if the TP points his camera at me because I know I don't ride like a mad man.'
Speed limit ignored
At other locations, like the turn into Bedok North Road from the PIE towards the airport, drivers ignore the 50kmh speed limit.
A speed display, on trial by the Land Transport Authority, show some drivers cornering at 90kmh.
When deployment locations are highlighted on a Singapore map, it would seem that most major roads are being monitored by the traffic cops.
Perhaps, rightly so.
The total figure of speeding summonses in 2007 was 56,067, up 24 per cent from 45,130 in 2006.
Speed had also been a factor in 1,766 fatalities or injuries on the road last year.
But has the F1 race led to any increase in speeding on Singapore streets?
Mr Tan Teng Lip, president of Singapore Motor Sports Association, felt motorists were unlikely to be encouraged to 'take speed to the streets'.
'I don't recall any studies or stories linking motor sport with an increase in illegal racing on the roads,' he said.
'With or without motor racing events, people who want to race illegally on our streets will do so. But there are laws in place to penalise these inconsiderate motorists.'
He said there was a time when illegal drag racing was rampant in Lim Chu Kang.
Today, such activities are rare. All thanks to the vigilant enforcement by TP.
Adding more officers with speed cameras on the road will only keep speedsters in check, he said.
However, with regard to the deployment of laser speed cameras, he wondered if there is a 'buffer zone' for motorists.
'The question is how strictly will the authorities enforce the speed limit? Is there a buffer of several kmh before the traffic police book you?
'Sometimes we go a little over the limit without being aware of it.'
