The Public Utilities Board (PUB) national water agency reminded PMD riders who drive on drain gratings that the law considers such behaviour an offence warranting jail or a fine.
“Damaging any drain or storm water drainage system is considered an offence under the Sewerage and Drainage Act. Those convicted may be fined up to S$40,000 or jailed up to three months, or both,” the PUB stated as quoted in a report by the Straits Times.
The statement followed a series of discussions on how PMD riders can workaround the new law banning PMDs from footpaths.
A short video clip recently made the rounds on social media. The clip depicted a man riding a PMD on the drain grate next to the footpath.
Episode 2: foot paths and grass cannot ride. Let’s ride on the drain ??Shawal McCoy Muhammad Junaidi Bunny Angah Md Budd
Posted by Leonardo Clyde Alfonso on Tuesday, 5 November 2019
Other e-scooter riders also tried to figure out loopholes around the new law such as riding their vehicle on the grass.
Read: PMD users who ride on the grass beside sidewalks could be fined up to S$5,000
The National Parks Board (NParks) responded that such behaviour is considered an offence under the law.
“NParks advises users of PMDs not to ride on turf. It will damage the turf and lead to soil erosion. The uneven ground may also be a safety concern to PMD users,” they said in an earlier statement.
Riders convicted of driving on grass patches may be fined S$5,000.
On Nov 5, Parliament announced that e-scooters can no longer be used on footpaths following a series of serious and fatal collisions.
Convicted offenders may face a S$2,000 fine and up to three months of jail time once the ban is fully implemented on Jan 1, 2020.
Addressing the concerns of delivery riders who rely on e-scooters to make timely food deliveries, the Ministry of Transport announced a S$7 million grant to assist affected riders.
The riders will be encouraged to trade their e-scooters and will receive S$600 to S$1,000 to buy either a bicycle or its electric counterpart.
The grant will be implemented by Dec 31./TISG
Over 50 PMD users attend Jurong Meet-the-People session to discuss e-scooter ban