This year has been a turbulent year for PMDs.
Legislations were passed, people were thinking of banning PMDs in Singapore totally (not that we’ll think it will come true) and enforcement was tightened.
Here’s an overview of what’s happening to PMDs in Singapore in 2019 so far.
You’ll realise that we said so far because, well, PMDs have a track record of changing the situation at any given time.
1. 42% of S’poreans Want PMDs Gone
YouGov ran a survey polling the opinions of Singaporeans. The question of the day: Should PMDs be banned here?
Unsurprisingly, about 2 in 5 Singaporeans want the devices gone.
Another 30% said they’ve got no opinions while 29% say they want them to stay.
You’ll realise that it adds up to 101% but that’s surveys for you: the numbers are probably rounded off.
2. Ranked As The Most Dangerous Vehicle On The Roads
The same survey by YouGov also asked respondents to choose the most dangerous vehicles on the streets of Singapore.
And once again, E-scooters came out on top.
It’s a survey on PMDs, after all.
- E-scooters (49%)
- Cars (19%)
- Motorcycles (11%)
- E-bikes (9%)
- Skateboards (7%)
- Kick scooters (3%)
- Pedal bicycles (2%)
Interestingly, nobody said bus, trucks or trailers.
3. Government Announces They Might Ban PMDs
On 7 Oct 2019, the government issued it’s warning to PMDs.
Be responsible or we’ll ban the devices.
Senior Minister of State for Transport, Janil Puthucheary, said that PMD riders have to be “extra responsible and mindful of others”.
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is reviewing ways to improve safe usage of PMDs and LTA is stepping up to identify “hotspots” for PMD accidents.
They might even be creating separate paths for PMDs, pedestrians and vehicles.
It was added that they might even ban PMDs until the infrastructure is put into place across Singapore.
And nobody’s really surprised at the suggestion because, well, the numbers aren’t really great.
4. PMD Statistics In 2019
From 2017 to 2019, the number of PMD incidents on shared paths have reached 228.
And it’s not just scrapes and bruises. A 65-year-old lady who collided with a PMD passed away on 25 Sep 2019.
From January to June 2019, there were 49 fires related to PMDs, which comes out to about two incidents per week.
Which is bad news, especially when you consider that in the entire year of 2018, there were 52 cases.
And within the past 3 months, there were 8 residential fires caused by PMDs, even killing an elderly man.
But then came a massive U-turn.
5. No Need To Ban PMDs
In one of the greatest, and most beautiful, U-turns in the history of Singapore, Mr Janil Putucheary hit the news again.
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This time, he said, “Banning PMDs is a knee-jerk reaction”.
In an interview with CNA, he said that a “vast majority” of PMD riders here in Singapore are responsible.
And that they should not punish everybody for the sake of a “few rotten apples”.
He added that PMDs are useful, and if people learn to use them responsibly, it could be a boost to Singapore’s car-lite society vision.
However.
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He added that they are still considering it and will not hesitate to pull out the butcher knife if required.
To be honest, it sounds like it probably will not happen unless something exceptionally drastic happens. (As if it hasn’t already)
6. PMD Ban At PAP Town Councils’ Estates
In case you’re unaware, you’re not allowed to ride your PMDs at the void decks and common corridors of the HDB estates from 1 Sep 2019.
But there’s a 2-month grace period which will end on 31 Oct 2019.
If you’re caught during the grace period, first-time offenders will be let off with a warning.
But after 31 Oct 2019? The kids’ gloves come off.
Offenders will be fined up to $5,000 for flouting the rules.
And don’t think you can escape. There will be about 70000 surveillance units set up across the 15 towns to make sure of this.
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Around $50 million will be dedicated to expanding infrastructure in areas where PMD related accidents tend to occur.
This includes things like widening footpaths, clearer warning signs or speed limits for PMD users.
7. New Recommendations From Active Mobility Panel
The Active Mobility Panel is the foremost authority on PMDs in Singapore.
Typically, the things they recommend to the government will most likely be passed in one form or another.
And now, they’ve spoken.
First, they want to restrict the age of PMD users. They are recommending that PMD users must at least be sixteen years old before they can ride on public paths.
Second, PMD users must pass a theory test before they can go public with their sleek, sexy PMDs.
And last but not least, PMD riders should not use their mobile phone (unless it’s fastened to the device in a hands-free solution) while riding.
They are also pushing to make it compulsory for companies with a fleet of PMD users to purchase third-party insurance for their riders.
Pedestrians aren’t spared too and they are calling for a code of conduct for pedestrians on how to use shared paths safely.
8. PMD Retailers Get Together To Make PMDs Safer
On 10 Oct 2019, 26 PMD Retailers got together to make a pledge.
The group of retailers say they will not sell or service PMDs for people younger than the age of 16 unless they are accompanied by an adult.
They will also not service or modify PMDs and will only sell registered devices with the UL2272 fire safety standard.
With this, they hope that the number of irresponsible riders in Singapore, as well as PMDs breaking out into fires, can drop significantly.
Sounds like a “total ban” threat can do wonders, huh?
9. UL2272 Brought Forward
Fire breaking out due to charging PMDs are getting worryingly frequent.
The latest incident happened on 8 Oct 2019 at Bukit Batok where a man and an infant had to be rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Originally, PMD users will no longer be able to use non-UL2272 compliant devices from 1 Jan 2021 but after the huge spate of PMD fire incidents in Singapore this year, they are bringing it forward.
Users now have until 1 July 2020 to switch to a UL2272-compliant device.
And even then, the devices have to go for compulsory regular inspection to ensure that it’s not going to burn down while you’re riding down Boat Quay.
10. STOMP-ifying PMDs
STOMP is a proven way of policing proper social behaviour.
And they’re now trying to direct that energy towards regulating the PMD community.
Back on 20 June 2019, LTA announced that they’re working on a way to allow people to report irresponsible PMD riders easily.
While it’s not a perfect solution: it’s pretty hard to grab your phone, toggle into camera mode and snap an IG-worthy picture before it speeds away; it’s a step in the right direction.
And on 31 July 2019, it became a reality.
When the technology (to report reckless riders) was deployed to the MyTransport.sg app, it was mentioned that with this one move, they have an extra 700,000 eyes on the streets of Singapore.
Scary.
When you combine this with mobile CCTVs, stringent rules and increased enforcement actions, you know they’re no longer playing around with the PMDs in Singapore.
You can download our app on the latest updated PMD rules in Singapore.
Believe me, you’re going to need it.