Transport & Motoring Archives | Page 8 of 14

Five Reasons Why Having Auto Insurance Is a Must

Having insurance on your car or truck is a smart idea for numerous reasons, not just because it is usually required but also to give you the peace of mind you deserve when something happens to your vehicle. After all, an accident can happen at any time and if your auto insurance isn’t current, you might have to pay for all of those repairs yourself. Regardless of your income, this is a huge burden for most people, especially when you consider what most car repairs cost these days. This is but one of the reasons why having car insurance on your vehicle is a must and below are a few other reasons as well.

It Is Often Required

Car insurance is often required by law, with each location being a little different regarding what you’d be responsible for if you are involved in an accident that is determined to be your fault. This is an important fact to consider because if this type of insurance is required and you aren’t covered, you’ll not only be required to pay for the costs of all of the repairs but you could also get fined because you didn’t have insurance in the first place. It is especially troublesome because let’s face it, car repairs can cost up to ten-thousand dollars in some cases.

It Can Help Protect Your Investment

The right type of auto insurance will help you keep your car well-maintained, and this is important since your vehicle can be one of the biggest investments you make. Especially if you own an expensive vehicle, you’ll want to make sure it stays in great shape year after year, and if you get into an accident without the right type of car insurance, or not enough car insurance, you may not be able to afford to get all of the work done that’s necessary for your car to look good. Of course, taking good care of your vehicle is about more than it looking good – it has to run right as well, and an insurance company will help make that happen whenever an accident occurs.

It Saves You a Lot of Money Over Time

Everyone thinks that car insurance is expensive and even though it can be a bit pricey depending on the circumstances, just one accident can make that amount of money seem insignificant. The longer you have car insurance, the more money it saves you. While it’s true that you can take your chances by not paying for this type of insurance and think that you’re saving money, you could easily be paying way more money than just the amount you’ve paid for car insurance up to that point when you have an accident while driving your car. Through the years, having up-to-date car insurance can save you a lot of money indeed.

Protection Against Mother Nature

Of course, car accidents aren’t the only reason to always keep your car insurance up to date. Mother Nature can also wreak havoc on your vehicle with hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides, and all other natural disasters that can cause huge damages to your vehicle. Even if you never get into an accident, the elements can cause very expensive damages from falling limbs, heavy winds and rain, and flying debris that could come crashing into your vehicle at any time. Without insurance, this can damage your budget but you won’t have to worry about any of this with the right type of auto insurance.

You Can Enjoy Some Legal Protection

Even if the accident is deemed to be truly no one’s fault, this doesn’t mean that someone on the other side won’t try and sue you. This is where your insurance company can be a big help. If you get sued, the insurance company’s legal department will jump into action and help you every step of the way, fighting for you so that you always have someone by your side. Being sued can be very nerve-wracking for the average person but insurance companies have legal representatives who go to bat for you so that your side is represented from beginning to end, providing you with the peace of mind in these circumstances so that you’re much more likely to be successful in the end.

Singapore sees a shift in mode of transport with more people cycling and buying bicycles

In line with Singapore’s aim to develop its cycling infrastructure as part of a car-lite city, our country is seeing a shift in the mode of transport with more people cycling and buying bicycles. Are you part of the trend?

Bike-sharing operator: Anywheel

Image Credits: Anywheel

According to Anywheel’s chief executive Htay Aung, there was a 68 per cent rise in ridership in January compared to the previous month, a 25 per cent increase in February and 20 per cent in March.

While ridership fell by about 23 per cent during the circuit breaker, demand has since sprung back up, with a 39 per cent increase between June and July, he added.

“We believe that the significant increase in ridership is mainly due to our growing fleet size as well as the shift in preference in (the) mode of transport as members of the public are practising social responsibility by avoiding crowded areas during peak hours due to COVID-19,” said Mr Htay.

In July, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) granted Anywheel approval to expand its fleet from 10,000 to 15,000 bicycles.

“Based on our trip data collected during this outbreak, our bicycles have been proven to be an alternative mode of first- and last-mile transportation and have the ability to replace short trips between one to two MRT stations or several bus stops,” noting that the trend is likely to continue.

Largest player in Singapore’s bike-sharing market: SG Bike

Image Credits SG Bike

SG Bike marketing director Benjamin Oh said, “There is an increasing number of users using our bicycles as a means of outdoor exercise and activities.”

Mr Oh is referring to an increased usage around neighbourhoods and outdoor parks such as along East Coast Park, Gardens by the Bay, and the Marina Bay area.

“Following the PMD ban and COVID-19 circuit breaker, we have continuously been working together with foodpanda to provide their riders to use our bicycles,” he said, adding that riders who work for other delivery companies also use their bicycles.

Compared to Anywheel’s fleet of 15,000 bicycles, SG Bike operates a fleet of 25,000 bicycles in Singapore.

A rise in business for the bicycle industry

Image Credits: Treknology3

The sale of bicycles and related accessories increased in the first quarter of this year, with 8,740 transactions compared to 5,187 during the same period last year, said OCBC group customer analytics and decisioning head, Donald MacDonald.

For bicycle retailer Treknology3, sales for bicycles, helmets, and lights went up by about 20 to 25 per cent in the last few months. Its marketing and distribution manager Azhar Abdullah believes that the upward trend in cycling is because it allows people to head outdoors while adhering to safe distancing rules at the same time.

But BofA Securities analyst Rafe Jadrosich says that the cycling boom is still in its early stages and there is still a long way to go for the trend to peak.

E-scooter rider fined S$500 and jailed for six weeks for riding against traffic and colliding into a woman who fell and fractured her skull

This is not the first time we’re hearing of such a rash act. Earlier this month on 3 August, the news reported 10 people being arrested for dangerous riding on personal mobility devices (PMD) and power-assisted bicycles (PAB) along Sheares Avenue. The police said the suspects were arrested between Jul 17 and Jul 20.

If you haven’t been keeping up with the law, e-scooters have been barred from footpaths since last November and all motorised PMDs are not allowed on footpaths since Apr 1.

What happened?

Image Credits: todayonline.com

Last Oct 23, Chen Yue, 61, rode his unregistered e-scooter from Kinta Road towards Dhoby Ghaut MRT to meet a potential buyer who wanted to purchase the device. He rode the e-scooter on the footpath along Selegie Road until he reached Selegie Court.

As there were many pedestrians on the footpath, he decided to take his device onto the road. In fact, he rode against the flow of traffic at about 15kmh. Failing to spot the 24-year-old woman standing in front of Wilkie Edge mall who stepped off the footpath onto the road, Chen collided into her. The incident was captured on CCTV.

The victim fell lying face down on the road, bleeding from her mouth and face. She was taken to the hospital with injuries including a fractured skull, deep cut on her lips, and a blood clot between her skull and her brain. She was given physiotherapy and occupational therapy and discharged a few days later with 31 days’ hospitalization leave.

Prolonged impact

But the victim continues to experience occasional dizziness and has a scar above her lips from the incident. Her teeth have also grown loose because of the impact. While her medical fees were fully covered by insurance, Chen made voluntary compensation of S$8,000 to her in May this year.

“The fact that she continues to experience occasional dizziness and intends to seek further treatment after COVID-19 speaks to lingering consequences of the collision on her life,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Grace Teo.

The verdict

Image Credits: WIC News

Chen demonstrated a high level of rashness by riding his e-scooter against traffic when there were moderate traffic flow and pedestrians on the footpath, Ms Teo added. However, Chen’s lack of previous convictions and his voluntary compensation to the victim was considered. There was also no evidence that he had been speeding on the footpath.

Today (Aug 21), Chen was fined S$500 and jailed for six weeks for causing grievous hurt by a rash act and riding an unregistered PMD, a sentence much lighter than he could have gotten.

This is because for a rash act causing grievous hurt, Chen could have been jailed for up to four years, fined up to S$10,000, or both. For riding an unregistered PMD on a footpath, he could also have been jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.

Two Ninja Van delivery drivers sentenced to jail for misappropriating items worth S$12,000, pocketing S$18,000 in cash, and mobile phones worth S$3,850

If you’re an avid fan of online shopping, chances are that you’ve come across using Ninja Van as a delivery provider. When that happens, you could either be grateful or full of complaints. Well, grateful when you receive your parcels on time and possibly full of grudges when things go wrong.

I’ve had my fair share of problems dealing with Ninja Van. I’m sure the public has lots to say about the company as well – with recent news about a woman being scammed out of S$40 by a cash-on-delivery she didn’t order and frustrations about continued delays in delivery by Ninja Van.

#1: Case 1

Image Credits: Vulcan Post

The first case was reported in the news on Aug 11, 2020.

Adrian Chong Yuan Kit, 38, was sentenced to seven months’ jail on Tuesday (Aug 11) for criminal breach of trust by dishonest misappropriation.

In short, over a span of three months, Chong would deliberately not scan parcels with items he wanted to keep for himself. In total, he has set aside 147 items including a massage machine, a gaming monitor, a TV set-top box, hand sanitiser, mobile phones, and soap worth up to S$12,104 for his personal gain.

The police raided Chong’s home and recovered all the items, though nothing was said regarding the customers who were affected by his crime.

How the act was discovered

End of April this year, Ninja Van conducted an internal audit to check on lost parcels in an attempt to better streamline the system. During the audit, they noticed a spike in the number of missing items under Chong’s charge since Feb 2020.

As a follow-up, a manager at Ninja Van planted a parcel containing a bottle of Dettol soap and a Huawei mobile phone meant for delivery outside Chong’s assigned route on Chong’s assigned pallet on May 21.

Based on Ninja Van’s system, Chong was supposed to receive an error message and return it to his supervisor since the parcel was not meant for him to deliver. However, even after Chong finished loading all the parcels from his assigned pallet into his van, he did not receive any error messages.

He was immediately confronted by the manager in which he then admitted to taking it dishonestly. A police report was filed the same day.

#2: Case 2

Image Credits: The Business Times

The second case was reported in the news on Aug 19, 2020, a week after the first case.

Derrick Tan Jian Sheng, 35, was sentenced on Wednesday (Aug 19) to eight months’ jail for pocketing more than S$18,000 in cash as well as mobile phones worth S$3,850 from Ninja Van customers.

According to the court, Tan started committing the offences within a month of joining the company in April 2018. To be exact, between May 22 and Jun 11, Tan made 72 deliveries involving cash-on-delivery items and trade-in mobile phones.

The cash of S$18,555 he collected from customers and 16 mobile phones worth a total of S$3,850 was partly used to pay off his personal debts to the Land Transport Authority and loan sharks. Tan sold the phones on Carousell.

How the act was discovered

On Jun 8, 2018, Ninja Van’s finance department told Tan’s manager that there had been multiple inconsistencies from deliveries Tan made. Although the relevant deliveries had been completed, the money and mobile phones that Tan collected were not returned to the company.

Tan’s manager arranged to meet him but he did not show up. A police report was then filed. Tan was traced to M Hotel using the GPS in the company van assigned to him, where he admitted that he had taken the items and cash.

Food for thought

In response to the matter, a Ninja Van spokesperson said that there was “no impact to end customers as the restitution was between us and our clients in question”.

But we can’t help but wonder, how were the customers with lost parcels compensated? Based on the company’s FAQ section, it is stated that “Ninja Van will be subject to a certain amount of liability per parcel in cases of loss or damage.”

If it’s only a “certain amount of liability”, then how is this “no impact to end customers”? What are your thoughts?

EZ-Link and Touch ‘n Go have launched a dual-currency cross-border card you can use in Singapore and Malaysia

With the implementation of the Reciprocal Green Lane and Periodic Commuting Arrangement at the Singapore-Malaysia border, comes the news of the launch of a new dual-currency contactless card.

EZ-Link x Touch ’n Go Motoring Card

Termed as the “EZ-Link x Touch ’n Go Motoring Card”, it will allow users to store both Singapore dollars and Malaysian ringgit in two electronic purses on the same card.

“The EZ-Link x Touch ’n Go Motoring Card offers motorists the convenience and flexibility of payment options in both countries,” said EZ-Link in a news release.

“Our EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card will bring a new level of convenience for motorists who have to travel between the countries often, and offer added safety and flexibility in contactless payment options,” EZ-Link Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Lee adds.

Ways to use the card

In Singapore, the EZ-Link x Touch ’n Go Motoring Card can be used for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) payments, checkpoint toll charges, and parking fees at some car parks.

While in Malaysia, it can be used to pay highway tolls, checkpoint toll charges, parking fees, MRT, and even bus fares. It is also accepted at Touch n’ Go retail outlets.

Where to buy?

According to EZ-Link, the card can be purchased on the official EZ-Link store on Lazada at S$7 with no load value.

We wanted to purchase one but it was out of stock at the time of writing. You may want to check to see it’s available for purchase in the coming days.

If you can’t get one this month, fret not. In September, it will be available for sale at selected 7-Eleven convenience stores in Singapore for S$10 – inclusive of a S$3 load value in the EZ-Link purse.

You can top up the EZ-Link purse and the Touch ‘n Go purse at regular channels in Singapore and Malaysia respectively.

FAQs

#1: Can I use the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card to pay for foreign-vehicle entry fees at the customs when I am travelling from Singapore to Malaysia and vice versa?

For Singapore-registered cars travelling into Malaysia

You may use the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card to pay for toll fees entering into Malaysia.

For foreign-registered cars travelling into Singapore

You can’t use it for payment of Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fees.

#2: Where do I top up my EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card?

Topping up in Singapore

Please top up the EZ-Link purse of your EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card at 7-Eleven outlets, DBS/POSB ATMs, OCBC ATMs, AXS Stations, top-up machines at PA Community Clubs and Water Venture Outlets, and at selected car parks that accept EZ-Link card payments. Top-up fees apply at certain top-up channels.

Topping up in Malaysia

Please visit this page for top-up locations for the Touch /n Go purse of your EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card. Please note that top-ups are not available at all 7-Eleven outlets in Malaysia.

#3: How long can I use my EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card for?

The EZ-Link purse in the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card has a lifespan of 5 years whereas the Touch ‘n Go purse has a lifespan of 10 years. You can continue using the Touch ‘n Go purse after the 5 years’ lifespan of the EZ-Link purse.