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LTA out to deter errant PMD users as tougher penalties kick in for those riding on roads

SINGAPORE — At least 11 people had their e-scooters impounded by officers from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday (Jan 15) morning as tougher penalties kicked in for personal mobility device (PMD) users caught riding on roads.

Enforcement officers from the Land Transport Authority impounding the PMDs of several errant riders at Loyang Lane on Monday morning (Jan 15). Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

Enforcement officers from the Land Transport Authority impounding the PMDs of several errant riders at Loyang Lane on Monday morning (Jan 15). Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — At least 11 people had their e-scooters impounded by officers from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday (Jan 15) morning as tougher penalties kicked in for personal mobility device (PMD) users caught riding on roads.

LTA, which conducted enforcement operations along Loyang Drive with the Traffic Police and several other spots across Singapore, said it is ramping up efforts to deter errant use of PMDs. It also plans to step up its education efforts by rolling out its Safe Riding Programme for cyclists and PMD users from February 1.

Since the start of this year, 38 PMD riders have been caught. This was more than the 22 riders caught over the same period last year and included the 11 riders caught this morning.

Among those nabbed for riding on the roads at Loyang Drive was Mr Murugan Gurusamy, 45, who said it was his first time getting caught, and that he was not aware of the stiffer penalties.

First-time offenders now face fines of S$300 or S$500, up from S$100 previously, depending on whether the offender was riding on local roads or major roads.

Local roads refer to those winding through housing estates and neighbourhoods. Major roads include arterial roads, as well as those with multiple lanes.

Those caught for the second time will be fined S$500 for riding on local roads or S$800 on major roads. For subsequent offences, they face fines of S$800 for riding on local roads or $1,000 on major roads.

Those caught riding on expressways will be charged in court. If convicted, first-time offenders face a fine of up to S$2,000 or up to three months in jail, or both. Repeat offenders face a fine up to S$5,000 or up to six months behind bars, or both.

"I appreciate the (new) rules since I know there have been a lot of accidents involving PMDs recently," said Mr Murugan. The safety inspector, who has owned an e-scooter for a year, added that he will take the bus to work for the next few days while waiting to get his PMD back from the authorities.

Under the Active Mobility Act, which is expected to come into effect early this year, reckless PMD users will be required to take the LTA's Safe Riding Programme, a 90-minute course on safe riding practices.

This involves going through a training circuit and theory lessons such as what paths PMDs are allowed to travel on. The course will be conducted at community clubs, schools, migrant worker dormitories and other organisations, such as SAFRA and the Civil Service Club.

While members of the public can take the programme free-of-charge for the first year, those found riding recklessly will have to pay the full course fees.

It is illegal to ride PMDs — including kick-scooters, electric scooters, electric unicycles and electric hoverboards — on the roads under the Road Traffic Act.

Active Mobility Enforcement Officers are stationed at random locations across the island in teams of three or four, covering up to four locations per day for an average of two hours at each location, and will stop users riding recklessly. The authorities will also impound the users' devices during investigations, as is the current practice.

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