Highway Code updated to include PMD use, guidance on giving way to emergency vehicles

SINGAPORE — From Dec 1, Singapore’s Highway Code will be updated to emphasise that personal mobility devices (PMDs) and personal mobility aids (PMAs) are not allowed on the roads.

The police said in a media release on Friday (Nov 15) that this is not only for the safety of the users of these devices, which include e-scooters and motorised wheelchairs, but that of other motorists around them.

The revision to the Highway Code, which is meant to serve as a code of conduct for road users, comes on the back of a spate of PMD-related news.

The Government banned e-scooters from footpaths from Nov 5 due to a rising number of accidents involving the devices.

The Land Transport Authority said that there were about 184 reported off-road accidents involving PMD riders between Jan 1 and Sept 30 this year. Of these, about 64 per cent occurred on footpaths, while 8 per cent took place on cycling and shared paths, and park connector networks.

Data from the National Trauma Registry showed that in 2018, 299 people were treated at hospitals for PMD-related incidents. About 260 were riders.

Since the ban was enforced, food delivery riders who rely on these devices for their work have been voicing their concerns, both online and at meet-the-people sessions with various Members of Parliament, about how it will affect their livelihoods.

Currently, riders may use these devices only on cycling paths and park connector networks.

Aside from the new provision for PMDs and PMAs, the new Highway Code, which takes effect on Dec 1, will include guidance on giving way to emergency vehicles.

According to the guidelines, upon hearing the emergency siren or seeing the flashing lights of any motor vehicle used for medical, fire-rescue, military, police or customs purposes, motorists should:

• Stay calm and check the direction of the oncoming emergency vehicle;

• Give way by signalling early, and filter towards the left if it is safe to do so;

• Slow down to let the emergency vehicle overtake if it is not safe to filter to the left;

• Not speed up to block an overtaking emergency vehicle, or try to overtake or tailgate an emergency vehicle; and

• Not break the law (such as by driving through a red light) to give way to the emergency vehicle.

“In an emergency, every second counts,” said the police.

They added that road users should “exercise civic responsibility” and give way to emergency vehicles as it can make a real difference to saving lives.

Another addition to the Highway Code will be an advisory for pedestrians to avoid using mobile communication devices when crossing roads.

“Pedestrians are a particularly vulnerable group of road users,” said the police. “They face an increased risk of fatal or severe injury in the event of an accident.”