Britain, Australia and Malaysia, as well as many American states have strict laws
specifying that the use of speed cameras must be made known to motorists.
-- ST FILE PHOTO
I RECENTLY received a notice from the Traffic Police informing me that my car was caught by a speed camera near lamp post 107 along Nicoll Highway in the direction of Guillemard Road.
After revisiting the site several times, I discovered no notices along that stretch of Nicoll Highway notifying motorists of the presence of a speed camera.
There appeared to be a platform for a speed camera near lamp post 107, but no camera was mounted, and the platform was hidden from the view of motorists.
I understand that Britain, Australia and many American states, as well as neighbouring Malaysia, have strict laws specifying that the use of speed cameras must be transparent to motorists.
The British law required the set-up of a mandatory notice of its presence to motorists; it is also a requirement that the camera be coloured orange for visual distinction.
I wrote to the Traffic Police seeking its position on the situation in Singapore, but did not receive a reply on this point.
At a time when there are visibly fewer Traffic Police officers patrolling our roads, and an increasing dependence on speed cameras, it is important that the use of such third-party devices is governed by legislation.
Almost all other speed cameras in Singapore would adhere to such a law if it was promulgated, but the one along Nicoll Highway did not when I was driving past it.
