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General Information

Wearing Seat Belts
(extracted from the website of the Singapore Police Force)
$120 fine will be imposed on the passenger who is not belted up. The driver will be fined $120 and given 3 demerit points for failing to ensure that his passengers are belted up.

To view more information regarding "Seat Belt Rules", please follow the specified links as shown below:

->Click on "FAQ"
--> Click on "Seat Belt Rule"

Click here ==> Seat Belt Rules

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Using Baby Seats
(extracted from the website of the Singapore Police Force)
Most Singaporean children below 8 years old are not tall enough to use a seat belt safely. They are therefore best protected in a child safety seat.
Children should use booster seats to raise their height to the level where they can use adult seat belts safely. Traffic Police will exercise flexibility in these cases.

To view more information regarding "Using Baby Seats", please follow the specified links as shown below:

->Click on "FAQ"
--> Click on "Seat Belt Rule"

Click here ==> Using Baby Seats

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Bus Lanes
(extracted from the website of ONE.MOTORING)
From 1st April 2007, the following adjustments will be made:

• Shift in traffic patterns prompts changes to bus lane timings
  
• The evening bus lane operation hours will be moved to a slightly later slot to reflect current traffic patterns which indicate that evening traffic volumes tend to peak at around 6.00pm.


• The Saturday bus lane hours will no longer apply at specific locations, due to the lighter traffic volumes noted on Saturdays.
  

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Illegal Parking
(extracted from the website of ONE.MOTORING)
Motorists who park their vehicles illegally will obstruct pedestrians and/or other motorists, and may pose a threat to the safety of other road users. Enforcement action will be taken against these motorists.

Motorists can be fined up to $120 for light vehicles and $150 for heavy vehicles. For cases that cause danger or serious obstruction, the composition fine is $300. Errant motorists will also face a removal charge of up to $160 (for motor cars), excluding storage charges. Parking within a Demerit Points No Parking Zone, parking abreast of another vehicle or parking within a pedestrian crossing carry 3 demerit points in addition to the composition amount.

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Use Of Handphone
(Extracted from the website of the Traffic Police)
The Traffic Police takes a serious view on the use of handphone while operating a vehicle. A first-timer convicted of phone and drive offence shall be liable to 12 demerit points and a maximum fine of up to $1000/- or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both. He/She may also be disqualified from driving. The offender's handphone and SIM card will be seized to facilitate investigation. These may be forfeited by the court upon conviction.

More Information

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CashCard
It is important to have a cashcard while driving in Singapore. Make sure the cashcard is slotted correctly into the vehicle’s IU – the grey unit located above the dashboard at the lower right corner of the windscreen. This is important because cash is debited from the cashcard each time the vehicle passes an operational ERP gantry. Most carparks (except HDB) are equipped with electronic parking systems (EPS) which accept payment by cashcard. CashCards can be purchased at 7-11 stores, petrol stations, and convenience stores. These cards can be topped up at ATM machines, 7-11 stores, petrol stations as well as cashcard top up machines at some carparks.

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Electronic Road Pricing System
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is an electronic system of road pricing based on a pay-as-you-use principle. It is designed to be a fair system as motorists are charged when they use the road during peak hours.

The ERP system uses a dedicated short-range radio communication system to deduct ERP charges from CashCards. These are inserted in the In-vehicle Units (IUs) of vehicles before each journey. Each time vehicles pass through a gantry when the system is in operation, the ERP charges will be automatically deducted. Motorists who pass through an operational ERP gantry without a properly-inserted CashCard in the IU, or one with insufficient monetary value in the CashCard to pay the ERP charges, will receive a letter within a few days of the violation requesting them to pay the outstanding ERP charge plus an administrative fee of $10, within two weeks from the date of the letter.

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Driving in Malaysia
While Singaporeans have always been fond of driving across the border for holidays, we sometimes hear of their journey ending in dismay due to road mishaps.

Common causes of accidents can be driver fatigue, being unfamiliar with Malaysian driving habits, unfamiliar routes and terrains, bad weather and roadside distractions.

Get plenty of rest
Long distance driving can easily lead to driver fatigue. Get a good night's sleep before the trip. As a general rule, plan a stop every two hours during your journey, or once you experience any fatigue signs and symptoms. Rotate with your co-driver if you have one.

On the North-South Highway, lay bys are located every 25 to 50 km along the expressway. Facilities include parking bays, toilets and public telephones. Rest and Service Areas (RSA) are located every 80 to 100 kilometers.

Driving at night
Reduced visibility and drowsiness combined with blinding bright headlights are common night driving problems one has to overcome. Hence travellers are advised to avoid night driving as far as possible. If you have to, drive with caution and take breaks in between.

As a safety tip, use the light of oncoming vehicles and the vehicles ahead of you to gain valuable clues on the layout of the road, i.e. curves and bends.

Driving conditions and habits
Do some research on Malaysian driving conditions. Clue-up on the local safety signs, signals and speed limits before embarking on your holiday as most signages are displayed in Malay languages.

Often, roads run through industrial, residential and kampong areas. Hence, drive with caution and look out for heavy vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, two wheelers, animals and bullock carts on both sides of the road when passing through these areas.

In Malaysia, when overtaking a slow vehicle in front of you, do not flash your high beam as the locals may not understand your intention and may think you are antagonistic. Instead switch on your right indicator. Most drivers would filter left and give way.

Routes & Terrains
If possible, try to find out in advance any unusual terrain along the route that you are taking so as to anticipate them. Uneven surfaces and potholes are common on Malaysian trunk roads. Do not be distracted by the scenery and be careful when you manoeuvre the bends. Also, obtain a reliable map and plan your route in advance.

Bad Weather Conditions
Malaysia is frequently lashed by torrential tropical thunderstorms and thus, presents its own unique driving challenges. Avoid driving in bad weather conditions. In a downpour, always turn on your headlights and windshield wipers. Reduce speed to give yourself more time to react to hazards and let your speed drop gradually. Keep a lookout for hazards like falling tree branches, landslides and big sprays of water from puddles.

The North-South Highway have crosswinds frequently. Warning signs in the form of wind-socks are usually found at places prone to strong crosswinds. In the absence of wind-socks, the swaying trees along the road are good indications.

Dealing with aggressive motorists
Do not do anything that will frustrate other road users or cause them to react adversely.

If you encounter road peeves like motorists / bikers cutting in front of you or road hogging for example, stay calm and do not overact or react adversely.

If you have accidentally cut in front of another car, or may have unintentionally exercised inconsiderate driving, always reverse the process by apologizing with a hand gesture.

If you encounter road rage, stay in your car. Do not respond aggressively with angry gesture or action. Instead, use an apologetic gesture. If need be, drive to the nearest town to seek help or to call for help from the local police.

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What do I do if I am involved in an accident?

1. Check whether others are in need of assistance. Stay calm and don’t get angry. Move to the side of the road or somewhere safe.
   
2. You should have a Singapore Accident Statement in your vehicle. It contains two forms for you to complete:

Accident Statement (yellow-and-blue form, Part I)
The Accident Statement should be completed at the scene of the accident. Complete it, sign it and have the other driver involved in the accident sign it too. There are two copies - one for you and one for the other driver. The Accident Statement helps your insurer establish the basic facts of the accident. It is not an admission of liability.

Individual Statement (white form, Part II)
The Individual Statement does not require the signature of both drivers, so you can fill it in later.

Once completed, please send both the Accident Statement and the Individual Statement to us within 24 hours. By filling in these statements, you will help us ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible.

If none of the drivers involved has an Singapore Accident Statement, be sure to note these details at the accident scene:

• The number plates of all other vehicles involved
• The names and addresses of the other driver(s) / contact number(s)
• Any witnesses and their contact details
• The names of insurers for the other driver(s)

If you have a camera, take photos of the accident scene.

Avoid discussing liability, i.e. which party is at fault, with others involved in the accident, or their lawyers. Refer all communications from them to us immediately.

If an accident involves injury, call the police straight away. You must also make a police report within 24 hours of an accident involving:

• Damage to a government vehicle or property
• A foreign-registered vehicle
• A hit-and-run vehicle

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