PMD Ban: Around 3,450 Warnings Given To Errant PMD Users On Footpaths

Do you know what is every Singaporean’s (and mine) favourite three letters?

P, M and D.

As you already know, Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) have had restrictions on them since last month.

And if you didn’t know then welcome back to Earth.

It’s a bit of a hassle for PMD riders but there’s nothing much that can be done about it for now.

Unless you’re a hardcore law-breaker of course.

Thousands Of Warnings

Or maybe sometimes people just forget.

According to The Straits Times, a total of 3,444 warnings were issued to riders last month according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Okay, that might be a lot more than I expected.

These riders are still fortunate to be caught now, at least.

You’ll be issued a warning now but from next year, those caught can be fined up to $2,000, jailed up to three months or both.

Those numbers look extremely painful.

But that’s not all regarding PMD cases.

A total of 111 PMDs have also been seized in relation to other offences such as illegal modifications of e-scooters.

This one is might be less forgivable. Modification of such devices was always illegal, to begin with anyway.

LTA Takes It Seriously

It might be annoying but I kind of see LTA’s perspective.

There were quite a few accidents this year, including one that caused the coma and death of a 65-year-old lady.

LTA officers also say that they have been carrying out patrols from 8.30am to 9.30am every day at different locations.

I remember seeing them around Clementi too. There were like two groups of officers within the same stretch.

Luckily, I don’t use one.

LTA’s watchful eye is everywhere, with officers sometimes stationed in places including Yew Tee, Tanjong Pagar, Holland, Punggol, Jalan Besar and Ang Mo Kio.

Don’t even think about escaping, dude.

However, e-scooters can still be used on dedicated cycling paths. The network spans a total of 440km which the Government plans to triple by 2030.

Just be warned about using it anywhere else, though.

Once again, still hoping that some kind of middle ground can be reached regarding this whole PMD fiasco.

Shoutouts to GrabFood riders still hustling and doing their thing, though.