Need a better Regulatory Body to control online and mobile apps

18/08/2025

Unwritten Rules, Road Markings, and the Realities of Heavy Vehicle Operation in Singapore

The safe operation of vehicles, particularly heavy ones such as prime movers, buses, and lorries, depends not only on codified regulations but also on many unwritten rules that experienced drivers instinctively follow. These rules, though absent from textbooks, are essential in real traffic.

With the introduction of foreign driving instructors for Class 4 and 5 licences, an important question arises: will they follow altered rulebooks written by scholars who may not grasp the realities of heavy vehicle driving on Singapore’s roads? Drivers of prime movers and buses often face conditions where textbook instructions collapse. To stay safe, they must adapt or bend rigid rules, such as keeping to the leftmost lane in a roundabout, stopping at a green light when visibility is poor, or using a straight lane to make a turn in tight spaces.

Many of these adaptive practices, the unwritten rules, have been ignored, erased, or never codified. Trainee drivers are often taught idealised three lane roundabout models that do not exist in Singapore. Once an entrance or exit reduces to two lanes, the rules collapse. Fast moving vehicles naturally overtake slower ones, creating conflicts unrecognised in manuals.

Examples like the Fountain of Wealth roundabout and Exit 10B of the Woodlands checkpoint show drivers crossing double white lines not to break rules but to maintain safety and efficiency. Humans adapt; robots following programmed obedience would stall or create hazards. This gap between theory and practice shows why lawmakers, policymakers, enforcement officers, and even judges often lack full understanding of ground realities.

Another concern is the erosion of critical road markings. White thermoplastic arrows, especially when extended to six metres, provide advance warnings of junctions and split-second decision support for larger vehicles. A lorry driver in a straight lane but needing to turn relies on the first long arrow to decide whether to stop or proceed safely.

Yet in recent years, many of these markings have been erased, replaced by eighteen metre Mandatory Give Way to Bus zones, often without reinstatement. This creates risks not only for human drivers but also for autonomous vehicles that rely on clear markings.

The seriousness of this has not been fully recognised. Lawmakers overlooked it. Enforcement officers are not aware. Even judges may not grasp its impact. In 2022, case 216102837711, a judge asked if speed limit signages were mandatory, and the Traffic Police officer replied no. By 2024, rules changed, making them mandatory. Such transitions show how unwritten practices and shifting standards create inconsistent enforcement and uneven justice.

Judges must not be allowed to suspend or revoke licences when laws or markings have changed without notice to drivers. They are not equipped to make decisions on road design or evolving regulations, especially when unwritten rules and marking practices are not codified or communicated.

Recommendation:
Unwritten rules must be retrieved, documented, and shared among lawmakers, law enforcers, policy writers, prosecutors, and judges. Critical markings such as extended arrows must be reinstated where appropriate, including in bus lanes. Responsibility should rest with the LTA Traffic Engineering Department, working with Traffic Police, autonomous vehicle testing units, and seasoned Class 4 and 5 instructors who understand real conditions.

Without reform, Singapore risks a transport system governed by incomplete rules, blind to practical realities, and unsafe for both human and autonomous drivers.

18/08/2025

Clearer Traffic Rules and Road Markings for a Safer Singapore

Why Clear Road Rules and Markings Matter for All Motorists in Singapore

Traffic rules are created to make our roads safer. Yet after years of observing how traffic laws are applied in Singapore, it is clear that there are areas which cause confusion and even accidents. One of the most important but overlooked elements is the white directional arrows painted on the roads.

These arrows are not just simple markings. They guide drivers at junctions, especially when traffic lights fail or when large vehicles block the view. Unfortunately, some of these arrows have been removed or altered, leaving motorists unsure about what to do. For younger or less experienced drivers, and for older or foreign motorists taught under the international two arrow rule, the lack of arrows can be dangerous.

Arrows give immediate direction and help drivers decide whether to move, slow down or stop. Without them, hesitation or sudden lane changes often happen, leading to rear collisions or confusion at busy junctions. Longer vehicles such as buses and lorries are at even greater risk as they sometimes need two lanes to make a turn. Without clear markings, these drivers may be forced to take sudden actions that endanger others.

Beyond the arrows, there are larger questions about how traffic rules are managed. Motorists need to know which laws are strict requirements and which are only advisory. Rules should be consistent across agencies such as the Land Transport Authority and the Traffic Police. There should also be a panel of experts who regularly review traffic management. Such a group could identify flaws, preserve proven golden rules, update the highway code and ensure both policymakers and the public are properly educated.

Another concern is the number of motorists who feel wrongfully penalised by red light cameras. In many cases the problem is not reckless driving but unclear markings, poor visibility or blocked signals. These drivers then appeal to Members of Parliament, creating unnecessary workloads and frustration. If the rules and road designs were clearer, fewer appeals would be needed and trust in the system would grow.

It is also important to place directional arrows at the right spot. Almost all motorists rely on the first arrow before the stop line to make a decision. If the arrows are placed too far back or removed, drivers can easily misinterpret the situation and make mistakes that lead to accidents or red-light violations.

Newer features such as bus lanes, yellow boxes and mandatory give way zones serve public transport well, but they should not replace the basic directional arrows that serve all motorists. A better approach would be to combine both by keeping arrows visible even within priority zones. This ensures clarity for all road users.

Red light camera installations also need stricter checks. Factors such as blocked views from buses, unclear lanes, roadworks or poor lighting must be considered before cameras are approved. Otherwise, motorists may unintentionally run the light despite trying to follow the rules. A simple solution could be countdown timers on traffic lights to help motorists anticipate changes when visibility is blocked.

Another area of confusion is signage. At present, generic speed warning signs are often placed near red light cameras even though these cameras have nothing to do with speed enforcement until the combined functionality was activated in April, 2024. According to the Highway Code, the correct sign should clearly state red light camera. This practice is already followed in places like Ontario and California and should be adopted in Singapore for consistency and fairness.

Ultimately, traffic management must work for every motorist. This includes younger drivers, older drivers, foreign motorists and in the near future, autonomous vehicles. Clear and consistent rules today will also prepare the roads for artificial intelligence systems tomorrow. Ambiguities that confuse human drivers now will only create bigger problems for machines later.

Traffic laws should not be seen as a way to catch offenders but as a way to protect lives. By making road markings clearer, aligning rules across agencies and ensuring proper education, Singapore can make its roads safer and fairer for everyone.

09/07/2025

Many years ago, I proposed to the authorities that they take control of ride-booking platforms and transform them into a regulated, multi-million-dollar national framework.

The idea was to begin by manually registering all Pick-Up and Drop-Off (PUDO) points into a centralised database, similar to how birth certificates are issued and recorded.

This registry could be powered by precise geolocation technology such as what3words, which may require a modest licensing fee for permanent database access and usage rights. Each PUDO registration could be priced at S$10, creating a scalable and sustainable model that benefits both the public sector and private stakeholders.

To ensure clarity and proper enforcement, the national PUDO map could be colour-coded into five key categories:

Green would represent unrestricted pick-up and drop-off areas.

Grey or blank zones would be reserved for emergency use.

Red would denote areas with complete access restrictions.

Purple would apply to locations where passengers must be physically present before a booking can proceed. This is especially relevant for communication with gantries at condominiums without guards, areas like Sentosa, HDB carparks with seasonal or hourly barriers, and potentially even bus stops, taxi stands, and full-day bus lanes in future.

Light blue zones would feature digitally controlled access, including mandatory QR code or OTP scans to validate passenger presence before any remote booking can be confirmed.

This would be ideal for schools, hospitals, and most shopping malls, ensuring drivers do not waste time waiting and reducing roadside congestion.

Under this model, all MCSTs would be required to pay a small annual subscription fee, say, S$1,000 per tablet per year, to support the infrastructure and administrative costs.

Acting as an intermediary across all ride-hailing platforms, this system could also enforce single-session bookings to prevent duplicate or overlapping reservations, further improving efficiency and safety.

I shared this proposal with various ministries and agencies, including GovTech, with the hope that one day they will recognise it as a necessary solution, particularly in preparing for the arrival of autonomous vehicles within the constraints of a land-scarce nation like Singapore.

I encourage others to build upon or share this idea. If enough of us continue to advocate for practical, enforceable solutions, perhaps one day this vision will become a reality.

27/10/2024

https://chng.it/2xcTsPQrns

16/12/2021

https://chng.it/ThNPm4NYc9

Please stop adding more red-light cameras before getting approvals from the authority.

04/08/2021

This is my wish list: Things that we wished for fellow drivers and food delivery personnel.
1. Make ERP gantries mandatory if routes suggested by the real time navigational applications cannot provide better or faster alternatives. Must include for both Private Hire Vehicles and Taxi Drivers.
2. Scrap distance-based ERP as commuters might choose shorter but already congested routes and indirectly convert fixed fare to metered fare rate.
3. Have rules to protect drivers from abuses and harassment.
4. Mandatory training for customers or passengers before placing an order or bookings. To include some basic highway codes.
5. Implement UEN for registration instead of using email addresses or phone numbers as both could be fakes and renewed or changed. With UEN, the identity can be published anywhere unlike IC numbers.
6. Implement mandatory virtual with precise GPS pick-up and drop-off points for every building in Singapore such as what3words /// The simplest way to talk about location. These could be registered with ICA for ride-hailing companies to tap. Towing industry could also benefit when the public speaks the same lingo.
7. Allow the use of inward-facing cameras without the need to apply for permissions so that drivers could stop criminals activities such fare evasions, dangerous diversions, demanding passengers and those who littered soiled tissues during this pandemic/epidemic. Make child booster seats and seat belts the responsibility of the commuters not the drivers. Remove the star rating systems altogether!
8. Make a two-stage Taxi stand away from busy PUDO's. Merge Taxi Stands and Private Hire Vehicles PUDO into "Car Stops" both physically and updated virtually to cloud.
9. Remove all red-lights cameras in Singapore and enhance existing traffic junctions with better controls such as adding more signages or even new such as http://chng.it/CQnm2kBR, introduce more delay in sequences, avoid discretionary traffic lights and put more supplementary red/amber/green arrows. More countries are removing them as they don't serve the purpose of preventing all forms of accidents. Major accidents dropped but unfair penalties on those turns increased while more minor accidents went unreported.
10. Ban all pedestrians from crossing the roads while holding their smartphones. Be prepared though to remove all markings, traffic lights, speed limits etc when autonomous vehicles hit the roads. Once devices can communicate with each other, only then can pedestrians browse or post while crossing the roads.

Implement as International Lane Directions and Traffic Lights Sequence with default PUDO's

28/07/2021

http://chng.it/hq6z8cSRvv

Implement as International Lane Directions and Traffic Lights Sequence with default PUDO's

07/06/2021

Did you realised that Grab is going overboard? Anti-Harassment & Sexual Harassment Training made mandatory by them. They need to mind their own business as there are laws to to prevent would-be criminals. They need to provide training to the passengers too if they think they are so good!

As Private Hire Drivers, we came clean without any criminal records. If any drivers commit an harassment crime, let the Police handle. They will interrogate both parties involved.

If the authority allows Grab to conduct the investigations, they will be lopsided as they will side with the passengers. If they want to penalise drivers, summoned them to court where experts from all relevant fields such as criminal laws, criminology or s*xual harassment experts will be involved.

Rightfully, the victim should be the ones to report the matter to the authorities. GRAB is not the AUTHORITY. Let the Police handle the matter.

Grab is slowly behaving as if they are the lawmaker. They made judgements based on passengers feedbacks. If the passengers complained the drivers drove dangerously, they will also judged based on passengers' feedbacks.

They are also taking over the role of traffic Police by gauging your speed, sudden breaks etc using their navigational app but whenever you encounter problems with their navigation or may issues, they will reply "Grab does not respond to map and location feedback".

06/06/2021

That's why I proposed the government to issue UEN to individuals. Stop using emails and handphone numbers. Retain NRIC numbers only for Singpass or substitute them with UEN with suffix characters just like credit cards verification codes (CVC).
Every person in Singapore will have one to top up, transfer or deduct for payments, bills etc. Once we go cashless, it is easy to adopt Singapore Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
The fare evasions, loan sharks harassments, the risks of infecting with Covid-19 or any other variants will be very low as no one will touch any one. Further, with the Harassment Avoidance mandatory training, who wants to touch. Nothing better to do?

06/06/2021

Please guide me how to avoid harassment.
1. I need to look for passengers when they gave descriptions like "I am wearing a white t shirt and a red short".
2. I need to verify the names especially when they used fake ones where you cannot tell the gender or race.
3. I need to look at passengers to see as to whether they wear masks and safety belts or not.
4. I need to stare at passengers if they do not wear masks or safety belts.
5. I need to touch elderly persons of opposite s*x when they needed help to take a seat or alight.
6. I need to assist and carry elderly handicapped persons of the opposite s*x when the caregiver is not strong enough.
7. I need to ask personal questions like their names and destinations whenever passengers rushed into the car without verifying the licence plate or looking at me.
8. I need to ask the exact drop of points upon reaching example main lobby or basement car park.
9. I need to ask their handphone numbers whenever they have no money to pay, especially those caught unaware that their card payments could not go through.
10. I need to follow up with passengers until they made the payments.

20/05/2021

Can these areas be improved?
1. Can passengers raise their hands when their cars arrive as the drivers would not know who the passengers are?
2. Can passengers verify the drivers particular and/or vehicle registration numbers? Don't just go in the cars blindly.
3. Can the passengers be trained that the routes are decided by drivers because the fare is fixed?
4. Can passengers be trained that real-time navigation is the right choice in order to cut down air pollution and congestion on the roads, ultimately to fight climate change?
5. Can the star rating system be circumvented by drivers for any additional requests from passengers, in order to prevent unfair ratings?
6. Can the feedback by passengers be verified?
7. Are the passengers qualified to provide feedback?
8. Are the passengers aware of the 3 criteria used to determine a violation of using a handphone in the car?
9. Are the speed monitoring and recording approved for use?
10. Can the passengers be told to wait for cars at hospitals, schools and some shopping malls where no waiting is allowed?
11. Can pick up points at condominiums be fixed prior to pick up, either main lobby or basement car parks?
12. Can high rise pick up or drop off be banned completely as even handicapped persons are using the lifts?
13. Can passengers be informed that some car parks when they are full will not allow any cars coming in, hence pick up must be outside the gantry?
14. Can passengers be informed to go to the right PUDO whenever there are more than one?
15. Can inform passengers not to rush drivers when drivers already waited close to 5 minutes?
16. Can passengers not abuse the drivers by instructing drivers to drop by a certain place to buy something or withdraw money?
17. Can passengers be trained on basic highway codes, rules and regulations such as no waiting at camera zones?
18. Can the fares go 100 percent cashless. Other means of cashless must be fast enough without causing any further delays?
19. Can drivers have a feature to cancel a booking when passengers change their mind and insist on using their routes even after informing them that only GPS is allowed?
20. Can there be a continuous improvement to cater for drivers and not be biased with passengers?