Make reporting traffic offenders less of a hassle

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Some random comments seen on Facebook:
Do drivers in Singapore lack lane discipline, speed discipline and self-discipline? Should dangerous drivers be made to go for remedial driving lessons, on top of fines and imprisonment?

Our roads have become a lot more dangerous compared to, say, five years ago. In the past, there used to be many more enforcement officers patrolling the roads. But they appear to have become "extinct". The only way to deal with dangerous and reckless drivers is to come down very hard on them with a zero-tolerance law - they should be banned from driving for many years or even for life.

- OC Yeo

Singapore drivers must understand that they do not own the roads. Maybe this is a side effect of paying too much for a car. You end up having an entitlement mentality... In Singapore, we rush to be the first. Such behaviour is reflected in our driving styles.

- Calixius Casper Koh

Make reporting traffic offenders less of a hassle
To enlist the public's help in reining in speedsters, the Traffic Police must review their feedback procedures ("Key initiatives on speed cameras" by the Singapore Police Force; Aug 9).

Informants are required to disclose their identities before investigations commence and anonymous tip-offs are not accepted.

Informants are also warned that they may need to testify in court as witnesses if the suspects challenge the allegations.

While most law-abiding citizens wish to help, having their identities exposed and having to appear in court deter them from reporting offences. There is also the fear of retaliation.

Also, speed cameras inside the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) tunnel are not positioned along the entire stretch, allowing "seasoned" motorists to speed at stretches where there are no cameras.

Speed cameras are programmed to capture passenger vehicles exceeding 70kmh on the KPE, and 80kmh to 90kmh on other highways.

This means that light goods and heavy vehicles, with speed limits of 70kmh and 60kmh respectively, can exceed their limits without getting caught.

The Land Transport Authority also needs to review its enforcement of bus lane rules so that empty private buses are no longer allowed to use these lanes and compete with public buses for space during peak hours.

- Francis Cheng