Mobile CCTV systems, new app feature targeting errant PMD riders to be rolled out end-July
SINGAPORE — By the end of this month, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be deploying mobile closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera systems across public paths and roads in a bid to deter errant personal mobility device (PMD) riders.
The deployment is part of an 18-month trial rollout in partnership with the Government Technology Agency (GovTech), said the LTA in a press release on Friday (19 July).
These mobile systems will be rotated across different hotspot locations, including Jurong West, Punggol, Sembawang and Woodlands.
The trial will help determine the effectiveness of the video analytics software and radar technology in these systems in detecting active mobility offences such as speeding, the LTA said.
“Errant riders captured by the CCTVs during the trial may face further investigation and prosecution,” it added.
Reporting errant PMD riders via app
Separately, a new feature in the MyTransport.SG mobile app, which will allow the public to send photos or videos of errant riders to the LTA, will also be rolled out from the end of this month.
“The new ‘Report PMD/PAB Incident’ feature is a crowdsourcing channel that aims to facilitate the identification of errant riders and potential hot spots and will supplement the LTA’s current enforcement efforts on the ground,” said the authority.
Those who provide feedback should try to record the identification numbers of the devices and include details of their sightings such as the date, time and location, the LTA said.
“In the event of an accident involving injuries, members of public should proceed to lodge a police report immediately,” it added.
Apart from the new feature, the public can continue to use existing online and hotline channels to submit feedback to the LTA.
“Public feedback has been useful in LTA’s enforcement efforts in validating new hotspots for our Active Mobility Enforcement Officers,” said the authority.
MPs’ call for ban
Last Friday, the LTA said that more than 4,600 enforcement operations were conducted islandwide in the first half of this year, with over 1,700 active mobility offences detected.
As of the compulsory e-scooter registration deadline on 30 June, more than 85,000 e-scooters have been registered with the authority.
From 1 July, a first-time offenders who ride unregistered an e-scooter on public paths can be jailed up to three months and/or fined up to $2,000.
Those who make false declarations during their e-scooter registration can be jailed up to 12 months and/or fined up to $5,000.
During a parliamentary session in May, several members of parliament (MPs) had called for PMDs to be banned from public footpaths and void deck spaces, given the recent spate of PMD accidents involving pedestrians.
In response, Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Lam Pin Min said that the Ministry of Transport had no plans to ban the use of PMDs in such spaces.
However, he added that town councils can set and enforce their own rules - and even ban - the use of PMDs at void decks.
Since early this year, the speed limit on public footpaths for PMDs and bicycles was brought down from 15km/hr to 10km/hr.
Since last year, they must also not exceed 20kg and 70cm in width and have a capped speed of 25km/hr before they can be used on such footpaths.
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LTA carried out more than 4,600 enforcement operations in first half of 2019
