Caucasian man illegally skates on road, challenges taxi driver when confronted

A caucasian man was caught illegally skating on the road during morning peak hours today along Tiong Bahru Road. When confronted by a taxi driver, the man allegedly challenged the driver that it is legal for him to skate along the road.

According to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), skateboards are considered a personal mobility device and, as such, is not allowed for use on roads.

The taxi driver, Ghazali Sadip, shared photos of the skateboarder on Facebook and wrote:

“A caucasian man riding his motorised skateboard during morning peak hour traffic along the busy and narrow Tiong Bahru Road, causing traffic build up. Not to mention endangering not only his own life but other motorists. He got irritated when I honk at him, while I keep a safe distance at all times, and then challenged me. He claimed that it is legal for him to be on the road! What an idiot!”

According to the LTA, those found using non-compliant vehicles may be charged in court under the Road Traffic Act and be “fined up to $2,000 or jailed up to 3 months for the first offence. For subsequent offences, the offender may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to 6 months upon conviction. The non-compliant vehicle could also be seized for investigations.”

The LTA urged pedestrians using personal mobility devices to use such vehicles with caution, in a statement released on its website earlier this month. The authority warned:

“LTA would like to urge all cyclists and PMD users to ride safely and observe safe riding behaviour at all times. LTA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any rider found to be riding recklessly or in a manner that cause harm to pedestrians and other road users.”