For drivers and bikers, maybe the following situation may have happened to you before.
You notice you need to be somewhere and you’re running late. Seeing as there aren’t many cars around, you gradually increase your speed and zoom off.
And if you’re unlucky, maybe a speed camera catches you.
Going past the speed limit is an offence regardless and speeding often leads to dire consequences.
6.5K Drivers Caught Speeding in Sengkang Between Sept 2019 and Feb 2021
That being said, a particular area in Singapore has had a notoriously high speeding rate.
Sengkang.
CNA reported that between September 2019 and February this year, 6500 drivers were caught speeding.
This number was spread out across Fernvale Street, Fernvale Link, Jalan Kayu, Fernvale Road and Sengkang West Way.
But let that sink in for a moment.
This is only one area of Singapore, and this is only the people who got caught.
Who knows how many more there could be.
According to Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam, Sengkang West Way accounted for the most of speeding violations on the five roads.
Those caught speeding can be fined up to S$1,000 and jailed up to three months.
More Than Just Speeding
But the speeding issues were just one of the problems.
MP Gan Thiam Poh, who oversees said areas, said that residents had written complaints about loud noises caused by vehicles that were possibly illegally modified in order to go faster.
He in turn also asked for authorities to also catch those who would modify vehicles.
Several residents have said that the noises at night would interrupt their sleep, and would resort to just closing their windows.
Others stated that the noise could go on all the way to the wee hours of the day.
Mr Gan noted that residents suggested that a permanent speed camera should be installed.
Imposing Penalties
To clarify, this is for illegal modifications only as there are some items that do not need the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) approval.
Some include seat belts, bumpers, car seats or even steering wheels.
However, each of them has its own terms and conditions, such as requiring consultation with the car’s manufacturer or that the items won’t affect the structural integrity of the car.
But there’s even more that you can’t do, so you should check out those regulations before you try anything.
And there will be serious consequences for breaking these rules.
Those who illegally modify a vehicle can be fined up to S$5,000 and jailed for up to three months.
If you’re a repeat offender, these punishments can also be doubled.
Mr Gan also asked if the five roads should be considered as “speeding red zones”.
In response, Mr Shanmugam said the Traffic Police does not define areas as “speeding red zones”.
However, along with LTA, they have been conducting joint operations to detect the speeding and modification issues.
Featured Image: Google Maps