Highway (Revision No. 2) Code 2019

No. 3173 — Road Traffic Act(CHAPTER 276)

Highway (Revision No. 2) Code 2019

It is notified for general information that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, the Minister for Home Affairs issues the following Code:

Citation and commencement

1.  This Code is the Highway (Revision No. 2) Code 2019 and comes into operation on 1 December 2019.

Deletion of paragraph 2

2.  Paragraph 2 of the Highway Code (R 11) is deleted.

Amendment of paragraph 5

3.  Paragraph 5 of the Highway Code is amended by inserting, immediately after the words “this Code”, the words “and the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33),”.

Deletion of paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 and substitution of paragraphs 7 and 8

4.  Paragraphs 7 (including the heading), 8 and 9 of the Highway Code are deleted and the following heading and paragraphs substituted therefor:

“Walking along the road

7.  If there is no footpath and you have to walk along the road, then walk as close as possible to the edge of the road. Avoid using any mobile communication device while walking along the road.

8.  If you walk on an unlit or dimly lit road at night, always wear or carry something light-coloured or reflective. This will help to make you more visible to motorists.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 10 and new paragraphs 10A and 10B

5.  Paragraph 10 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraphs substituted therefor:

“10.  Where a pedestrian crossing is available, always use the pedestrian crossing to cross the road. Where a pedestrian crossing is not available, always cross the road by the shortest possible route, which is from one side to the other. Do not risk death or injury by trying to cross at other places in heavy traffic. You must also obey the traffic signs and traffic lights.

10A.  While crossing any road, make sure you have a clear view of the road both ways. Take extra care if your view is limited by stationary vehicles or other obstruction. Before crossing, practise the kerb drill for crossing the road mentioned in paragraph 13.

10B.  Avoid using any mobile communication device while crossing any road.”.

Amendment of paragraph 11

6.  Paragraph 11 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the words “A car travelling at a speed of 50 km/h would have to travel, if the road is dry, approximately 23 metres before it stops.” and substituting the words “Be aware that the stopping distance of a moving vehicle varies with the speed of the vehicle, the distance travelled by the vehicle when a driver reacts, and the braking distance of the vehicle (refer to paragraph 69).”.

Amendment of paragraph 13

7.  Paragraph 13 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the words “Use the same drill yourself.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 15

8.  Paragraph 15 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“15.  Do not step onto a pedestrian crossing until approaching vehicles have come to a complete stop. When crossing at a pedestrian crossing, be alert for vehicles being driven inconsiderately and without care or attention. If possible, make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they are aware of your presence.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 23

9.  Paragraph 23 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“23.  If traffic lights have a “green man” signal, do not cross until the signal appears. If possible, make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they are aware of your presence.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 27

10.  Paragraph 27 (including the heading) of the Highway Code is deleted and the following heading and paragraph substituted therefor:

“Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses

27.  Where there is a pedestrian overpass or an underpass, you must make use of it. Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses are built for your safety and must always be used when crossing the road.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 39

11.  Paragraph 39 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“39.  You must switch on your bicycle lights at night or when visibility is low. Your bicycle’s front light must show a white light, and the rear of your bicycle must display a red light or be affixed with a red reflector. The front white light and the rear red light or rear red reflector (as the case may be) must be visible from a reasonable distance. If you ride at night, wear light-coloured clothing. This will help drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians to see you clearly.”.

New Part IIIA heading

12.  The Highway Code is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph 44, the following Part heading:

“USE OF CROSSINGS, AND USE OF PERSONAL
MOBILITY DEVICES, ETC.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 44A

13.  Paragraph 44A (including the heading) of the Highway Code is deleted and the following heading and paragraph substituted therefor:

“Use of crossings by pedal cyclists, riders of power-assisted bicycles or personal mobility devices, etc.

44A.  Pedal cyclists, riders of power-assisted bicycles or personal mobility devices, and drivers of mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs must use a bicycle crossing, if there is a choice between using a bicycle crossing or a pedestrian crossing.”.

New paragraph 44C

14.  The Highway Code is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph 44B, the following heading and paragraph:

“Use of personal mobility devices, mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs

44C.  Do not ride a personal mobility device, or drive a mobility scooter or a motorised wheelchair, on any road.”.

Amendment of heading to Part IV

15.  Part IV of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the Part heading and substituting the following Part heading:

“ROAD USERS ON WHEELS”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 45

16.  Paragraph 45 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“45.  Before you drive any motor vehicle on the road for which a driving licence is required, you must have a valid driving licence authorising you to drive that motor vehicle, and be covered by valid insurance in respect of that motor vehicle.”.

Amendment of paragraph 51

17.  Paragraph 51 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the image immediately below the paragraph.

Amendment of paragraph 55

18.  Paragraph 55 of the Highway Code is amended by inserting, immediately after the word “traffic.”, the words “Signal early before changing lanes and plan your route well.”.

Amendment of paragraph 67

19.  Paragraph 67 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the image immediately below the paragraph and substituting the following image:

“ ”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 69 and new paragraph 69A

20.  Paragraph 69 (including the headings and images) of the Highway Code is deleted and the following headings, paragraphs and images substituted therefor:

“Speed and Stopping Distances

69.  Be aware that the stopping distance of a moving vehicle consists of the distance travelled by the vehicle when a driver reacts, and the braking distance of the vehicle.

Road Junctions

69A.  When approaching a junction, you must observe the following:

(a) If you are going straight across the junction, you must give way to traffic going straight from the right.

(b) If you are turning right, you must give way to traffic going from all directions. You must also give way to traffic turning right from the right, and to traffic turning left from the opposite direction.

(c) If you are turning left, you must give way to traffic going straight from the right.

”.

Amendment of paragraph 71

21.  Paragraph 71 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting the words “paragraph 69” and substituting the words “paragraph 69A”.

Amendment of paragraph 72

22.  Paragraph 72 of the Highway Code is amended —

(a) by deleting the words “go on” and substituting the words “move off”; and

(b) by deleting the words “Do not rely on signals to go ahead given by unauthorised persons.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 73

23.  Paragraph 73 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“73.  Well before you turn right at a junction, take full account of the position and movement of traffic behind you. Signal your intention early, and drive cautiously towards the centre of the junction. Give way to approaching vehicles and crossing pedestrians adjacent to you. Wait until it is safe to cross or wait for the green arrow signal to appear. Turn swiftly to the correct lane, keeping a look-out for pedestrians crossing at the junction.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 83

24.  Paragraph 83 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“83.  When driving (especially on any road without a path beside it) —

(a) watch out for pedestrians, pedal cyclists, riders of power-assisted bicycles or personal mobility devices, and drivers of mobility scooters or motorised wheelchairs, regardless of whether they are allowed on the road; 

(b) keep a safe distance when driving behind them; and

(c) allow a margin of safety when passing them.”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 87

25.  Paragraph 87 of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“87.  Keep a watch on the traffic behind you by checking your mirror every 5 to 10 seconds while driving along.”.

Amendment of paragraph 91

26.  Paragraph 91 of the Highway Code is amended by deleting sub-paragraph (i) and substituting the following sub-paragraphs:

“(i) within —

(i) 6 metres (20 feet) of an intersection or a junction of any road or street;

(ii) 9 metres (30 feet) on either side of a bus stop; or

(iii) 3 metres (10 feet) on either side of a fire hydrant;

(ia) where it will obscure a traffic sign or obstruct any entrance;”.

Deletion and substitution of paragraph 95

27.  Paragraph 95 (including the image) of the Highway Code is deleted and the following paragraph substituted therefor:

“95.  You must drive with your headlights on at night (between 7.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. the following day).”.

Amendment of paragraph 97

28.  Paragraph 97 of the Highway Code is amended —

(a) by inserting, immediately after the word “unlit”, the words “or dimly lit”; and

(b) by inserting, immediately below the paragraph, the following image:

“ ”.

Amendment of paragraph 98

29.  Paragraph 98 of the Highway Code is amended by inserting, immediately below the paragraph, the following image:

“ ”.

Deletion of paragraphs 101 to 111 and substitution of paragraphs 101 to 110

30.  Paragraphs 101 to 111 (including the headings) of the Highway Code are deleted and the following headings and paragraphs substituted therefor:

“ HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLES

101.  Drivers of large vehicles must always —

(a) keep such vehicles to the road or vehicle speed limit (whichever is lower); and

(b) travel on the extreme left lane of the road (except for bus lanes during their operating hours) to allow faster vehicles to overtake on the right.

102.  Any goods vehicle which has an open deck for the carriage of goods and is to be used to carry any person on the floor of the vehicle must comply with the applicable requirements in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9). Persons carried in a goods vehicle with an open deck for the carriage of goods must be seated in accordance with the Road Traffic (Carriage of Persons in Goods Vehicles) Rules 2010 (G.N. No. S 663/2010).

SMOKY AND NOISY EXHAUSTS

103.  All vehicles must be properly maintained to minimise the emission of smoke.

104.  All vehicles must be properly maintained to eliminate excessive noise.

ROADWORTHINESS

105.  For safety, you must maintain your vehicle in a roadworthy condition. This includes the following:

(a) Tyres

All vehicles are to be fitted with tyres of a suitable size and design. Keep your tyres up to the correct pressure. Tyres that have worn out must be replaced. Worn out or bald tyres cause skids when you brake hard in an emergency, whether the road is wet or dry.

(b) Brakes

Check your brakes regularly to ensure that they are in a good condition. Any leakage of brake fluid must be attended to without delay.

(c) Steering

The steering assembly of your car must be regularly checked, properly adjusted and kept in good condition.

(d) Lights

Check all your lights, including parking lights and signalling lights, to make sure that they are working properly.

GENERAL

106.  Sounding your horn when driving is unnecessary, except to warn other road users to avoid an imminent accident or during an emergency. Horns used must not produce an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or multi-tone sound.

107.  You must give way upon hearing the emergency siren of any motor vehicle used for ambulance, fire brigade, military, police, customs or civil defence purposes (called in this paragraph an emergency vehicle) or seeing the flashing lights of such a vehicle. In addition, you must observe the following:

(a) Stay calm and check the direction of the oncoming emergency vehicle.

(b) Give way by signalling early and filter towards the left if it is safe to do so. Do not wait until the last minute to do so.

(c) If you are unable to filter to the left safely, slow down to let the emergency vehicle overtake you.

(d) Do not speed up to block an overtaking emergency vehicle or try to overtake or tailgate an emergency vehicle as this can put yourself and other road users in danger.

(e) Do not break the law to give way to an emergency vehicle (e.g. by driving through a red light).

108.  Drivers must not be distracted while driving. Do not use any mobile communication device or turn your head to talk with your passengers while driving. Children and pets must not be allowed to obstruct or distract the driver.

109.  Reduce your speed when driving past animals, and give them plenty of room. Stop if necessary or if signalled to do so.

110.  Always slow down when approaching any traffic lights and be prepared to stop when the traffic light turns amber or red.”.

Deletion and substitution of Part V

31.  Part V of the Highway Code is deleted and the following Part substituted therefor:

“ PART V

ROAD USERS AND ANIMALS

111.  Do not let your dog stray. When you take it for a walk, or when it is in your car, keep it under close control.

112.  Make sure that the road is clear before you allow, or take, animals on to the road.

113.  When leading an animal on the road, always place yourself between it and the traffic, and keep the animal to the edge of the road.

SIGNS AND SIGNALS

114.  When turning, give way to through traffic and to pedestrians who are crossing.

SIGNALS GIVEN BY POLICE OFFICER

115.  Signals given by police officers directing traffic take precedence over those conveyed by road signs, traffic light signals, road markings and traffic regulations.

HAND SIGNALS

116.  Before doing any of the following, give a clear signal and in good time to let other road users know of your intention:

(a) turning or moving towards the right or left;

(b) stopping or slowing down;

(c) pulling out from a parking place;

(d) pulling out to pass.

COMMON CAUSES OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

117.  The following are common causes of traffic accidents:

(a) failing to keep a proper lookout;

(b) failing to keep proper control of one’s vehicle;

(c) failing to give way to traffic with the right of way;

(d) changing lane without due care;

(e) disobeying traffic light signals.”.

[MHA 112/2/033; AG/LEGIS/SL/276/2015/48 Vol. 2]