Reply to Media Queries on Alignment of SAF Vehicle Speed Limits with National Standards

"The safety of our servicemen is of paramount importance to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). As part of the SAF's continuous efforts to enhance safety for transport operators, SAF Headquarters Transport has explored and evaluated a series of safety initiatives. This includes the establishment of the Military Transport Safety Review Panel (MTSRP), comprising land transport and road safety experts, to review the SAF transport safety system and its driver training. The panel observed that all SAF vehicles currently adhere to the speed limit of 50km/h when travelling on public roads, with the exception of selected military vehicles that are permitted to travel above 50km/h during operations or casualty evacuation. However, the wide speed difference between SAF vehicles and other road users, leads to attempts by other road users to pass these slower SAF vehicles. This in turn increases the probability of collisions.

To enhance road safety and to narrow the speed differences between SAF vehicles and other road users, the SAF will align the speed limits of all SAF vehicles to national standards. The alignment of speed limits is being implemented in phases, starting with a small percentage of SAF vehicles -- the active Class 3 Operations Utility Vehicles -- from December 2015. Prior to operating vehicles at the new speed limit, all SAF transport operators are to undergo training comprising a safety brief and a practical driving lesson. The SAF will also conduct reviews at various phases of implementation and determine whether additional safety measures are required.In addition, equipment enhancement will also be implemented for SAF vehicles to further improve safety for transport operators. These include the installation of reverse parking sensors as well as in-vehicle and rear view cameras. The newest fleet of SAF vehicles is already installed with both reverse parking sensors and rear view cameras, with in-vehicle cameras being installed in all active SAF vehicles progressively over the next two to three years. All future purchases of SAF vehicles will include reverse parking sensors as well as in-vehicle and rear view cameras, along with standard vehicle safety features."

Senior Lieutenant Colonel James Liew
Chief Transport Officer
Singapore Armed Forces