By now, we would all have known about the PMD footpath ban that was implemented on 5 November last year. The ban followed a series of accidents that caused injuries and even deaths to individuals, showing that PMDs, while fast and convenient, posed a threat when not used correctly.
But under the Active Mobility (Amendment) Bill, it has been announced that the footpath ban will now include devices like hoverboards and electric unicycles.
Yep. Last year they said that the ban would be extended to hoverboards and electric unicycles by the first quarter of the year, but I didn’t expect it to be this fast.
No Underage Riding Without Adult Supervision
The Active Mobility Advisory Panel is also allowed to recommend measures that they believe will be beneficial under the Bill.
Their recommendations like the mandatory theory test for e-scooter users as well as a minimum age for users to use motorised PMDs on public paths were accepted by the Government in December and later implemented.
If any underaged riders are caught using motorised PMDs on public paths without any adult supervision, they will be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months, or both, for a first offence.
If they are recalcitrant, they will face fines up to $2,000 or be jailed up to six months, or both.
If you’re an adult who allowed an underage user to ride a motorised PMDs without supervising them, you would be subjected to the same penalties as them.
So you better think twice!
Higher Penalties For Riders & Shops If Found Not Complying To Regulations
There will also be a mandatory inspection regime for e-scooters such that they go for inspections every two years. This will begin on 1 April this year. And no, it’s not going to be an April fool’s joke.
According to the Ministry of Transport (MOT), “the amendments also expand the regulatory regime to cover all modifications of devices used on public paths, including those who modify their own devices and those who do without compensation” so as to help Land Transport Authority (LTA) to identify and eliminate the occurrence of illegal modification of devices.
As a part of the amendment, to set out a stronger deterrence for “errant and irresponsible behaviour”, the maximum penalties for key offences be it for rider or retailer will be much higher.
If a shop were to display motorised PMDs that do not pass current regulations of having a maximum weight of 20kg and a top speed that does not exceed 25kmh, they will be liable for a fine of up to $20,000 if it was their first time committing the offence, and up to $40,000 if they are recalcitrant.
Owning such a PMD that does not pass current regulations will also cause individuals to be liable for a fine of up to $10,000 and jailed for up to a year, or both, for a first offence. If you still don’t learn from this lesson and choose to try your luck but end up getting caught once again, you can be fined up to $20,000 or be jailed up to two years, or both.
If a shop wants to sell motorised PMDs, it is compulsory for them to display warning notices to warn others that these devices are illegal on footpaths.
The ministry aims to “promote better public path safety” through all these regulations. The Bill is also reported to make related amendments to the Road Traffic Act to make the penalties for PMD-related offences higher.
The Shared Mobility Enterprises (Control and Licensing Bill) proposed a new Act to replace the current device-sharing licensing regime. This also means that companies that are currently offering device-sharing services would have to provide users with third-party liability insurance.
More details of the amendments will be released in the Second Readings of the Bill in February 2020 according to the ministry.
Hopefully with all these in place, we would see fewer of such tragic accidents happening again.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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