Updated S’pore Highway Code Asks People Not To Use The Phone While Crossing Roads

The Highway Code is exactly what it sounds like: A code of conduct for all road users in Singapore.

And on 15 Nov 2019, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) posted a video to highlight three key changes to the code.

1. Giving Way To Emergency Vehicles

Quick question: What do you do if you see an emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire engine, police car) behind your car?

The decent thing to do, would be to give way, right? Because, well, someone’s life hangs in the balance and a one-second delay could mean the difference between life and death.

After 1 Dec 2019, no matter whether you agree with the above or not, you’ll have to give way to them.

If not? You’ll be slapped with a $200 fine and 4 demerit points.

They’ve even listed down the steps you should take when you’re put in such a situation:

1. Stay calm and check for traffic
2. Give way to the emergency vehicle
3. Slow down so the emergency vehicle can overtake

Don’t take this as an excuse to run the red light, though, because it was mentioned that you shouldn’t break the law just to let the emergency vehicle go ahead.

No running red lights. 

And tailgating an ambulance is a no-no, of course.

2. Don’t Use Your Phones When Crossing The Road

Roads are dangerous places to be at, especially for pedestrians who have nothing to protect them except flimsy clothes.

In their video, SPF highlighted that in 2018, 887 pedestrians were injured, and 39 were killed due to road traffic accidents.

While not all can be attributed to using mobile phones while crossing the road, you got to admit that doing that increases your chance of getting into an accident by a lot more.

After all, drivers aren’t allowed to use their devices while driving because they need their full attention on the road.

Shouldn’t pedestrians do the same because they should have their full attention when crossing the road too? #JustSaying

In Australia, they are considering implementing a “hefty fine” for people caught crossing the roads while looking at their phones.

3. No PMDs On The Roads

And finally, PMDs.

In case you’re wondering, PMDs were banned from the footpaths.

And PMDs have taken to trying all sorts of ways to get past the ban, including riding on grass patches, drain covers and even on walkway shelters.

P/S: Please don’t try the last one, the last guy who did that got arrested.

So the updated Highway Code includes a reminder to all Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) and Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) users:

You are not welcomed on the roads.

And should you be using your PMA on the footpaths, or PMDs on Park Connectors, please do so safely and keep within speed limits.

You Can Watch The Full SPF Video Below: