http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20120605-350696.html
Do you realise you can be fined and even jailed for abruptly changing lanes or tampering with fuel measuring equipment and parking coupons?
Here's a listing of traffic offences and possible sentences that drivers may not be too aware and could do well to take heed of:
Hit-and-run accidents
This is not a suprising offence but it is crucial to know that fleeing from the scene after knocking someone down could result in not just one but multiple charges against you as the intervention of the driver could mean the difference between life and death.
In fleeing the scene after severely injuring a victim, one could have already committed up to four distinct offences under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA).
(a) Failed to stop after the accident contrary to section 84(1) of the RTA.
(b) Failed to report the accident to the police within 24 hours of the accident contrary to section 84(2) of the RTA.
(c) Failed to render assistance to the victim contrary to section 84(3) of the RTA.
(d) Moving the car without authority from the Police contrary to section 84(4) of the RTA.
Abruptly changing lanes
Possible sentence: Fine of up to $1,000 or jail of up to 3 months for sharply changing lanes on a road without signalling for being in violation of Rule 29 of the Road Traffic Rules.
Rule 29 of the Road Traffic Rules states that "no vehicle shall be driven or ridden upon a road otherwise than in an orderly and careful manner and with due regard for the safety of others."
Use of mobile telephone while driving
Possible sentence: Fine of up to $1,000 or jail for up to six months or both if convicted under section 65B of the Road Traffic Act.
In this capacity, mobile telephone includes any hand held equipment which is designed or capable of being used for telecommunication whilst "use" means to hold it in one hand while using it to communicate with any person.
Plainly put, if one chooses to communicate with another through any means with a phone, that person will be guilty of this offence.
Something you may not have known: The mobile phone can be forfeited by the police.
Alteration of fuel-measuring equipment
Potential sentence: Jail for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding $5,000.
Something you may not have known: Even if you were not the one who made the modification, the person having custody of the motor vehicle at the time shall be presumed, until the contrary was proven, to have abetted this alteration of the fuel-measuring equipment.
This may come as a surprise, but under section 6A of the Road Traffic Act, it is an offence to alter the fuel-measuring equipment of a motor vehicle to preventing the quantity of motor fuel in a vehicle to be accurately measured.
Precautionary measure: If you own a second-hand car, it may be best to inspect your fuel gauge lest any tempering is present.
Tampering of Parking Coupons
Possible sentence: A first offender may suffer a maximum penalty of a fine of up to $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or to both.
For using tampered coupons, one would be in violation of Rule 12 of the Parking Places (Coupon Parking) Rules.
Since that constitutes a conscious and deliberate act of deception with the aim of cheating the public authorities, even a motorist with no prior criminal record and who has barely tampered with a single parking coupon can expect a fine of at least $800.
The penalty imposed is appropriately scaled upwards in accordance with the scale of tampering and the number and/or value of coupons involved.
Drink-driving
Possible sentence: Fine between $1,000 and $5,000 or jail term of up to 6 months if found guilty under section 67 of the Road Traffic Act.
Something you may not have known: One can be charged for this offence even if not driving at the time. As long as he is behind the wheel of a car, it can be presumed he is drink-driving.
Precautionary measure: Since one may be charged for drink-driving even if one is not actually driving a car, drivers who have consumed alcohol would be advised to stop at a designated parking lot and sleep until the effects of intoxication wear off.
Or simply do not drive to drink. Take a taxi instead.
Giving false information to a public servant
Possible sentence: Jail extending to seven years or fine up to $10,000, or both if convicted under section 182 of the Penal Code - for enlisting somebody to 'take the fall for you'.
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In addition to these offences, which most drivers ought to have already known about, here are some of the more obscure provisions.
- Sheep or goats can only be driven on a road between midnight and 6am. Furthermore, a sufficient number of drivers must be present to control them. (Section 32(3) of the road traffic rules)
- No person is allowed to wash or clean their vehicle on a road. (Section 30 of the road traffic rules)
- A cyclist has to hold out his hand horizontally and signal manually before changing lanes or stopping(Section 5 of the road traffic (bicycles) rules). These signals must be made in sufficient time to enable traffic to take appropriate action for the avoidance of danger.
- Anybody who interferes with the signals between the in-vehicle unit in a vehicle and an ERP gantry can be fined up to $2,000, imprisoned up to 6 months, or both. (Section 8(1) of of the road traffic (ERP System) Rules 2011
- When a vehicle is stationary on a road, the headlamps must be switched off. (Section 6 of the road traffic (motor vehicles, lighting) rules)
- A driver turning his vehicle must give precedence to pedestrians crossing or starting to cross the pedestrian crossing. (Section 4 of the road traffic (pedestrian crossings) rules)
- Where no special penalty is provided, a first-time offender can be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to 3 months.
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