The Traffic Police's blitz against drink driving saw 20 motorists arrested early this morning.
In the pre-dawn operation, road blocks were set up at Ganges
Avenue, Clemeanceau Avenue, Jalan Bukit Merah, Mountbatten Road and Sims
Avenue from 1.30 am to 4.30 am.
More than 72 drivers were
stopped and tested for alcohol consumption. Of these, 20 motorists - 18
men and 2 women aged between 23 and 53 - were arrested for drink
driving.
The highest Breath Evidential Analyser (BEA) test
result was 106 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
which is more than 3 times the prescribed legal limit is 35
microgrammes.
Acting Commander of Traffic Police, Deputy
Assistant Commissioner of Police Poh Lye Hin, said: "Drink drivers who
failed the BEA test will be prosecuted in court. Pleading ignorance of
our laws or having perceptions such as drinking two glasses of beer will
be within the legal alcohol limit will not absolve you of the drink
driving charge."
SOURCE
I urge all drivers to be responsible for your own actions. By the time you see that flashing red/blue lights, it's too late. Leave the vehicle at home if you're heading out for a drink.
Have a safe and enjoyable festive season.
Formula One supremo
Bernie Ecclestone believes Michael Schumacher was wrong to return to the
sport, claiming the German had severely damaged his legacy as a
seven-time world champion.
The 43-year-old Schumacher quit the
sport in 2006 before being tempted into an ill-fated return in 2010 at
Mercedes where he spent three seasons being largely outshone by teammate
Nico Rosberg.
He brought the curtain down on his second spell at last month's Brazilian Grand Prix where he finished seventh.
"I would rather he had stopped as a seven-time world champion than stopping now," Ecclestone told www.formula1.com.
"People
new to the sport -- people who have joined the F1 fan fraternity just
recently -- will remember Michael now, not as he was. They don't see the
hero that he was but the human that can fail."
But Ecclestone
had some words of comfort for Schumacher, admitting that three-time
champion Sebastian Vettel will find it hard to break his record of seven
crowns.
"He is not half way there. It will be a question of how good his team will stay -- or how bad the others are," said Ecclestone.
"When
Michael won his five titles with Ferrari it was because Ferrari did a
better job than any other team -- that is the same with Red Bull at the
moment. Whether they can continue, you don't know. Let's wait and see."
SOURCE
Schumi, as we affectionately call him, like all other sports greats, made a comeback in 2010. Still remember in 2009 when Massa had a life threatening accident, Schumi almost made a return for Ferrari as a backup. Suddenly everyone was buzzing about the prospect of the greatest F1 driver of all time getting into the cockpit again.
Sadly that didn't materialise due to a neck injury and Luca Badoer took over instead, to much dismay considering how crappy he is as a racer. But the comeback did arrive, not in Ferrari but at the newly formed team Mercedes GP.
We all thought they can make a huge challenge considering how Brawn GP blown everyone away with their maiden season in F1. Sadly, Mercedes GP failed to reproduce such performances with their many issues with the car.
I wouldn't say Schumi wasted the 3 years. Try putting yourself in his shoes. The temptation is always there, though the outcome isn't what as desired, it put to rest what's left in the basement, like how Rocky Balboa made a last hurrah in the ring.
I believe to all Schumi fans, he still is the best with 7 world titles. Vettel has the biggest shot at breaking that record but there's still a long long way to go for Schumi's fellow German.
Certificate of
Entitlement, or COE premiums, for the first bidding exercise in December
ended mixed on Wednesday, with the highest increase seen in the Open
Category (Cat E) which jumped by $3,010 to close at $97,000.
Also up are rates for goods vehicles and buses. COE premiums for this category (Cat C) went up by $2,800 to $63,035.
Rates for small cars (1,600 cc and below under Cat A) closed at $78,523 - up by $1,232 from the last bidding exercise.
Going down though are rates for big cars (above 1,600 cc under Cat B) which dropped by $2,804 to $90,200.
Premiums for motorcycles closed at $1,612 - down by just $77.
Observers said car dealers could be bidding more aggressively due to a few factors.
Mr Ron Lim, General Manager of Tan Chong Motor Sales, said one of the factors is the rush for year-end registration.
"Basically
you're looking at this month's registration to close off the year.
Secondly, in anticipation of the expected further cut in quota come
February. So everyone is rushing to get the COE and not take the chance
to roll over," he said.
SOURCE
So, it's another new record for Category A COE. With impending quota cuts in February 2013, the worst is still not here yet. Breaching the S$100k mark for cars above 2000cc is only a matter of time. What is more worrying is the COE price for commercial vehicles. Such high prices will inevitably pass on to consumers and overall inflation will climb even higher for years to come.
Monday's action by 102 SMRT bus drivers brought into focus issues
that have come with transport operators' growing dependence on foreign
workers.
Bus operators began hiring bus drivers from China in 2008. They now
make up 11 per cent of SBS Transit's pool of 5,300 drivers, and 22 per
cent of SMRT's 2,000 drivers.
The pay gap between Chinese and Malaysian drivers was one catalyst
for yesterday's protest. The former received much lower pay rises than
the latter group, even though they perform roughly the same functions.
Veteran unionist and MP Halimah Yacob said this was probably because
of SMRT's differing cost structures for the two groups of drivers.
For instance, SMRT has to pay for lodging for Chinese drivers, but
not Malaysians, who typically commute to and from their homes across the
Causeway.
She noted that the drivers should have sought proper avenues to address their grievances.
Even if they failed to reach a resolution with management, they could have turned to the Manpower Ministry, she said.
But Madam Halimah - who is also Minister of State for Social and
Family Development - added that companies should be cognizant of
changing circumstances facing Chinese workers.
"China is growing rapidly. Its economy is able to absorb many more
workers, and they are also able to pay better than before," she said.
"So employers here have to factor that in."
Mr Kenneth Soh, a social worker at non-governmental organisation
Transient Workers Count Too, said the larger issue may have to do with
why there are not enough Singaporean drivers.
"Perhaps we need to relook at our salary policies, to attract more
locals so as to have a lower reliance on foreigners," he said.
Active social commentator and former chief of union-backed insurer
NTUC Income Tan Kin Lian also urged public transport operators to pay
better salaries and provide better working conditions to recruit more
locals.
"Locals will be more familiar with our roads and languages, and can interact better with commuters," he said.
Member of Parliament Cedric Foo, who chairs the Government
Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said buses were an essential
public service, and Singapore must guard against situations where such
service providers are held hostage to protesters.
"There is always a balance to be struck between employee and employer interests," Mr Foo said.
"But conflicts do surface from time to time, and due process should be followed to address them.
"(Commuters) should not be penalised for this."
SOURCE
Definitely a wake up call for companies who think they can leech on cheap foreign labour, especially for those in service industries as they're more crucial than the others. Can you imagine waking up one day but can't get to work due to the absence of transport providers?
This is an issue facing Singapore as a whole. After the mass import of cheap foreign labour for the past few years, the government has finally come to realise that unlimited boosting of the workforce is not the best way to go and started controlling influx of such workers.
This change in policy suddenly caused many industry to face a manpower and profit crunch. After getting s used to readily available foreign labour, companies must now find ways to improve productivity and make salaries more attractive to locals.
It's ironic that after boosting the population, we need more workers to support this huge population but is finding big troubles in doing so.
From January 2013, taxi companies have to ensure that 70 per cent of
their taxis ply through peak hour and reach a minimum daily mileage of
250 kilometres.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced these measures at a
briefing earlier today. The standards are aimed at ensuring there
are more taxis are on the road during peak period, so passengers will
find it easier to get a cab.
These standards will be upped to 85 per cent in three years but will
be phased in progressively to give taxi operators time to adjust, said
LTA.
LTA also said taxi
operators would need to attain at least 4 out of 6 'Passes' over
six-month periods of every year to expand their fleet in the
corresponding period of the following year.
This means that results for the January 2013 to June 2013 period will
be used to determine if the taxi company can grow its taxi fleet in the
period of January 2014 to June 2014.
The growth will be capped at 2 per cent per annum - which was earlier
announced as being the unconditional growth rate allowed for the
transition period from August 2012 to December 2013, a growth rate
roughly in line with the historical taxi ridership growth rate.
Measures for taxi drivers to complement standards
From January 1, 2013, taxis will be allowed to pick up and drop off
passengers along all roads within the CBD, except those with bus lanes
during their operation hours, and specific roads which are dangerous for
all vehicles to stop at any time such as Finlayson Green, High Street,
Orchard Link and Esplanade Drive.
These adjustments will also make it more convenient for passengers
entering and leaving the CBD to hail a cab or alight near their
destination.
In addition, LTA will set up an online portal so that hirers and relief drivers can exchange information to facilitate matching.
"This will make it easier for taxi hirers to find relief drivers, and
vice versa, and will also be used to disseminate information relevant
to Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) holders," said a
spokesperson.
Active drivers will get a 50 per cent discount on their TDVL renewal
fee and waiver on certain modules of the mandatory refresher course
(e.g. street directory module).
These incentives and the new portal will be implemented in the first half of 2013.
The performance of the taxi companies will be measured on a monthly basis.
During the first six months, from January to June 2013, no financial
penalty will be imposed on the taxi operators if they fail to meet the
standards.
LTA will review this in June 2013.
SOURCE
Can these new measures solve the problem of "lack of taxis" in Singapore? In actual fact, we have no lack of taxis; we have almost twice the amount of taxis as compared to Hong Kong, but we're always facing trouble when getting taxis during peak hours.
The problem stems from the lack of drive from taxi drivers generally. However with this 250km minimum mileage per day, this will force the lazy bums to work or convert their taxis to double shift rather than single. I wonder what will LTA do to the operators if they fail the 70% and what will the operators do to drivers who refuse to clock the minimum 250km.
Created as an exclusive residential estate on an offshore island,
Sentosa Cove's tranquillity has been disrupted by revving sounds of
sports cars and driving misdemeanours by residents and visitors such as
speeding, driving against the flow of traffic, not stopping at
pedestrian crossings and overtaking in a single lane.
Complaints from residents about such "reckless and dangerous driving
behaviour" have led Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) to put up a
month-long tender to conduct a study to improve road safety and the
regulation of traffic in the enclave.
Spelling out the
transgressions, which "may be committed by residents, visitors,
taxi-drivers and contractors", the tender document said: "Community
tolerance and consideration can be fragile and easily threatened by
inconsiderate conduct and unruly behaviour of motorists on the use of
road space that meanders through Sentosa Cove, posing serious challenge
to the safety and lifestyle of this community."
Responding
to TODAY's queries, Ms Catherine Chew, General Manager of SDC subsidiary
Sentosa Cove Resort Management, said that there are about 1,300
occupied households in the enclave as of last month.
By
2014, as new developments are built, the estate can accommodate 2,160
households in a mix of luxury condominiums and landed properties in its
three precincts.
"As the population in Sentosa Cove
continues to grow, the priority of the management has been to ensure
safety within the residential precinct," Ms Chew said. She added that to
this end, measures such as regulating strips, flexible road dividers,
blinking pedestrian crossing signs and road humps have been installed on
the roads in Sentosa Cove.
Referring to the tender, Ms
Chew said: "As further precaution, we also intend to conduct a traffic
and road safety review."
Similar to residential estates on
mainland Singapore, the speed limit on the roads in the enclave is 40
kmh, Ms Chew said. The other roads on Sentosa Island have speed limits
of between 40 and 50kmh.
According to the tender document,
the consultant engaged for the study will need to look into areas such
as enforcement measures including the use of speed cameras and suitable
locations to install these.
The level of noise emitted by
"high-performance vehicles" will also be reviewed to determine what "may
be considered reasonable in a quiet residential environment, especially
at night". The consultant will also need to review the current practice
of allowing food delivery motorcycles into the residential precincts.
Sentosa Cove resident Michelle McDonald said that taxi drivers
tend to speed, despite the placement of speed cones and bumps in certain
zones.
Mrs Mia Lindbergh, who lives in a landed property
along Ocean Drive, said she was concerned about the safety of children,
given that Sentosa Cove houses are designed without gates.
However, resident Nancy Hawkes felt that some of the residents were
over-reacting. "No matter where you go to, you'll hear a bit (of noise)
here and there, when you stay in the city, you hear buses, traffic,
everything," she said. Nevertheless, she added: "Occasionally, but very
rarely, you get some people (from outside) who come in here, park their
cars in the middle of the road and take photographs."
SOURCE
Oh my, what happens when the rich complains against the rich? It is no wonder the rich living in Sentosa is facing a pretty unique problem. With houses costing S$10m in minimum, it is no surprise that each household owns a super car. If you don't believe it, take a drive down Sentosa Cove in your humble BMW and you will feel so small even if yours is a 335i.
What can you expect from drivers behind the wheel of super cars? Rolling down the driveway at 30km/h?? I'm afraid that will cause their V12s to overheat and their million dollar machines will burst into flames.
Safety issues wise, there are ways to improve it. Examples are building A LOT more humps and installing speed cameras at strategic locations to curb speeding. At the end of the day, it isn't the car but the driver that is responsible for any form of reckless driving.
The Korean Grand Prix racked up substantial operating losses last month,
the third year running it has finished in the red, but organisers say
the race will bring long-term benefits to the country.
The
South Korean race, first run in 2010, returned operating losses of 39.4
billion won (S$44.6 million), local media reported today quoting race
organisers.
One of nine Asian races on the 20-stop 2012
Formula One calendar, including the Asia-Pacific Australian Grand Prix,
the South Korean event also lost an estimated US$50 million (S$61
million) in its first year.
"It's hard to say what kind of
impact the loss has on next year," South Korean race organisers told
Reuters. "Although there are many concerns regarding the operating loss,
the loss for a third straight year is only a short-term effect.
"In the long-term the F1 event will bring more benefits to the
country. It will not only pave the way for South Korean car industries
in the future but also help foster new industries."
The
Yeongam circuit, 400 km south of Seoul, has an initial contract of seven
years, with a five-year option that could keep the race there until
2021.
However, it has been plagued by problems, even before
opening in 2010, when construction of the circuit was only just
finished in time for its maiden race.
South Korean
organisers have expressed dissatisfaction at the terms of their contract
with Formula One, particularly over the cost of race-sanctioning fees.
However, their complaints have fallen on deaf ears with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
The last two Korean races have been won by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, the current world champion.
The problems facing South Korea's race contrast sharply to the
success Formula One enjoys in nearby Japan, where sell-out 120,000
crowds are commonplace at Suzuka.
"Compared to the boom
years, things have become a little harder but we had 103,000 for race
day this year," press manager Yoshihisa Ueno told Reuters.
"Last year with the (tsunami and nuclear) disaster, numbers were down
but this year, operation-wise was a successful year."
The
Japanese Grand Prix has been held at Suzuka almost exclusively since
1987, apart from 2007 and 2008 when it was held at Fuji Speedway.
SOURCE
The Korean GP had a difficult birth right from the start. It was a miracle that they even made it in time to hold their maiden race back in 2010. It's baffling as to why they build the track so far away from Seoul, making it very much inaccessible and the lack of entertainment around the track isn't helping either. After 3 years, it's still suffering from a loss, the Korean government has alot to do to turn it around anytime soon.
COE for cars in Category A, up to 1,600cc, ended at $77,291, slightly above the previous record of $77,201, from two weeks ago.
Prices for Commercial vehicles in Category C also reached new high of $60,235, up from $59,111 in the last bidding exercises.
Premiums for cars in Category B, above 1,600cc, closed at $93,004, up from $92,400 two weeks ago while the Open Category which can be used to register any vehicle but is usually used for big cars, ended at $93,990.
This is up from $92,100.
Motorcycles were the only vehicles that saw a decrease, finished $1,689, down from $1,959 previously.
| Nov 2012 - First bidding |
| Category | Nov 21 prices | Nov 7 prices |
| Cars (1,600CC below) | $77,291 | $77,201 |
| Cars (above 1,600CC) | $93,004 | $92,400 |
| Commercial vehicles | $60,235 | $59,111 |
| Motorcycles | $1,689 | $1,959 |
| Open category | $93,990 | $92,100 |
SOURCE
It simply wouldn't stop climbing, and with the commercial vehicle category getting crazier in pricing, this will eventually pass the cost to consumers. Ended up everything else is just going to be even more expensive. Why is our inflation rate so high? COE is a huge contributing factor other than housing.
SINGAPORE - Prices for Certificates of Entitlement (COE) saw yet another surge in the latest bidding exercise that ended at 4pm today.
Small cars below 1,600cc saw the biggest hike of 8.7 per cent. Prices ended at $77,201, up from $71,001 previously.
Premiums for big cars jumped by about 7.7 per cent, from $85,801 in Oct to $92,400 in the current bidding.
COEs for commercial vehicles climbed up slightly to $59,111 from $57,889, while the increase for motorcyles was marginal.
In the Open category, which is usually used for cars and is transferable, premiums ended at $92,100, up 5.9 per cent from $87,000.
| Nov 2012 - First bidding |
| Category |
Nov 7 prices |
Oct 17 prices |
| Cars (1,600CC below) |
$77,201 |
$71,001 |
| Cars (above 1,600CC) |
$92,400 |
$85,801 |
| Commercial vehicles |
$59,111 |
$57,889 |
| Motorcycles |
$1,959 |
$1,920 |
| Open category |
$92,100 |
$87,000 |
SOURCE
Record breaking COE prices once again. This is just the prelude. Coming January 2013 there will be another round of quota adjustment. Singapore, the most expensive country in the world to own a personal car.
SINGAPORE - The driver of the Ferrari involved in the horrific crash in May was speeding at 178kmh before smashing into a taxi at Rochor Road.
This is almost three times the speed limit of 60kmh set at that stretch of road.
The Ferrari's speed was determined from three videos that were shown today at the coroner's inquiry into the accident which left three people dead.
Those killed include driver of the Ferrari Ma Chi, a Chinese national who was working as a financial advisor here in Singapore, taxi driver Cheng Teck Hock, 52, and the taxi's passenger, a Japanese female passenger in her 40s.
A motorcyclist and a female passenger in the Ferrari were also injured.
One of the videos that were played in court today was taken via a video recorder installed in the Ferrari. It showed the supercar speeding towards the junction of Victoria Street and Rochor Road. This is despite the traffic lights turning red, reported a local broadcaster.
The ComfortDelgro taxi then appeared on screen from the right.
Both Ma Chi and the woman passenger had seat belts on, the court heard.
The Straits Times reported that an autopsy indicated that Mr Ma had traces of chlorpheniramine, used to treat flu, in his urine.
The inquiry is adjourned till Friday.
SOURCE
Finally, the truth is out. A whopping 178kmh on a road like Victoria Street at 4am in the morning. Ma Chi is indeed very brave, and very crazy. His actions were seriously very irresponsible. Being at that kinda speed, it is very hard for him to react in time if there is any changes to the road. He isn't Fernando Alonso I reckon.
