We would like to clarify that this provision is not meant to target pedestrians in relation to a roadblock.ī. Next, Ms Sylvia Lim asked about the new offence which targets pedestrians near barriers in section 26 of the PFA.Ī. Make Explicit Police Officers’ Power to Set Up Human Barriers and Cordonsĩ. Hence, it requires Police Officers who have undergone the appropriate training to handle such serious cases. Roadblock operations are inherently riskier, as officers may come across crimes such as possession of weapons or drugs. Currently, the SPF only deploys Police Officers to roadblock operations.ī. Mr Gan also suggested that Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) can help to support SPF’s roadblock operations, to better detect motorists who speed or drive in illegally modified vehicles.Ī. On Mr Gan’s suggestion to use hardier barriers, SPF will continue to review its procedures and processes to carry out roadblock operations in a safe and effective manner.Ĩ. Our officers will take into consideration factors such as the prevailing traffic conditions and perform risk assessments when conducting roadblock operations.ĭ. We also train our Police Officers to react to situations where errant motorists might endanger the officers’ safety. Emergency light beacons are also set up in the area to ensure that they are highly visible.Ĭ. For this reason, Police Officers deployed to roadblock operations are equipped with reflective vests and traffic wands. The safety of our Police Officers is of paramount importance.ī. Mr Gan also asked if SPF will look into introducing barriers made of hardier material to minimise the risk to Police Officers.Ī. On illegally modified vehicles, the Land Transport Authority does not have a breakdown for the number of cases detected at the roadblocks, as they do not conduct roadblocks per se.ħ. On driving under influence, SPF detected an average of 700 cases per year from 2018 to 2020.ī. Mr Gan shared his concerns about the safety of Police Officers deployed at roadblocks, and asked how many motorists at these roadblocks were detected for driving under influence or having illegally modified vehicles.Ī. We will monitor the situation after the increase in penalties take effect.Ħ. While we agree with Mr Choo that evasion of roadblock can result in dire consequences, we do not think that it warrants mandatory minimum jail sentences, at least for now. Those offences involve death or very serious injuries.Ĭ. For driving-related offences, those that attract mandatory minimum jail sentences are Dangerous Driving causing Death or Grievous Hurt. That said, we reserve mandatory minimum jail sentences for the most egregious offences. We agree with Mr Choo that motorists who evade roadblocks not only obstruct the course of justice, but also show disregard for the safety of other road users.ī. Mr Desmond Choo suggested to introduce a mandatory minimum jail sentence for the offence of roadblock evasion.Ī. Given the high risks, the Bill increases the penalties significantly to strengthen the deterrence against roadblock evasion.ĥ. We should not rely on the offender also committing other offences to be able to take the person to task. However, the action of roadblock evasion, by itself, is a serious and risky behaviour. In instances where hurt is caused to Police Officers, it is true that we can take action using general application provisions like voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, or voluntarily causing grievous hurt. Motorists who deliberately evade roadblocks seriously endanger the lives of Police Officers as well as other road users in the vicinity of the roadblock.Ĭ. Of these, there were two cases where the roadblock evasion directly resulted in injury for Police Officers. There were 33 cases of roadblock evasion where the offender was convicted or issued with a stern warning. From 2016 to 2020, SPF conducted about 8,000 roadblocks per year.ī. ![]() Mr Gan and Mr Melvin Yong also asked how many cases of roadblock evasion were detected, resulted in serious injuries for Police Officers, and whether it is necessary to raise the penalties for roadblock evasion when the offender can be charged for other offences like voluntarily causing hurt when their actions result in injury.Ī. Mr Gan asked how many roadblocks were conducted in the past five years. The enhanced regime applies to all modalities of roadblock evasion and will cover all types of vehicles.Ĥ. Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked if the enhanced regime against roadblock evasion will apply to motorcyclists.ī. #1 – Enhance SPF’s Operational Capabilities and Readinessģ. Please allow me to address their questions in turn. Madam Deputy Speaker, I thank the members for their views and for their support of the Bill.
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