Road Traffic Act
(Chapter 276, Section 140)
Road Traffic Rules
R 20
G.N. No. S 171/1981

REVISED EDITION 1999
(30th September 1999)
[25th May 1981]
Citation
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic Rules.
Definitions
1A.  In these Rules —
“Demerit Points No Parking Zone” means any part of a road that is marked with a single yellow zig-zag line and includes the public footpath adjacent to the road;
“Demerit Points No Stopping Zone” means any part of a road that is marked with a double yellow zig-zag line and includes the public footpath adjacent to the road.
Drivers to give signals
2.—(1)  The driver of a vehicle on a road shall, in order to inform the traffic that he intends to stop, slow down or to change the direction of the vehicle to the right or to the left, signal his intention by means of an approved type of direction indicator as laid down in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9).
(2)  Signals under this rule shall always be made in sufficient time to enable traffic to take appropriate action for the avoidance of danger.
Vehicle to be driven on part of road between centre and left-hand edge of roadway
3.  Every vehicle shall ordinarily be driven on that part of a road which lies between the centre thereof and the left-hand edge of the roadway; and shall, when overtaking any vehicle, except in those cases specifically referred to in these Rules, only do so in such manner as to leave the vehicle overtaken on its left or near side and to avoid causing inconvenience or danger to any person or other vehicle.
Vehicle overtaking and passing another
4.  The driver of a vehicle who intends to overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction may, if he sees the driver of the latter vehicle make the signal to turn to the right or left as required by rule 2 and take the position required by rule 7, overtake and pass the said vehicle on its left or right side.
Vehicle to keep close to left-hand edge of roadway
5.—(1)  Every vehicle which is moving at a slow rate of speed shall be driven as close to the left-hand side of the roadway as possible.
(2)  Every vehicle shall at all times be driven in such manner as not to obstruct vehicles moving at a faster speed.
Vehicle not to obstruct other vehicles at road intersection or junction
6.  Every vehicle arriving at a controlled intersection or junction of roads which does not intend to turn right or left at the intersection or junction shall, on being released, move forward straight across such intersection or junction in such a manner as not to obstruct any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction on either side of such vehicle.
Positioning of vehicle before making a turn at road intersection or junction
7.  The driver or rider of a vehicle who intends to turn to the right at an intersection or junction of roads shall, before reaching such intersection or junction and as opportunity offers, move into the appropriate lane as indicated by the directional arrows to turn right and any driver or rider of a vehicle intending to turn to the left shall, as opportunity offers, move into the appropriate lane as indicated by the directional arrows to turn left.
Vehicle making right turn at road intersection or junction
8.—(1)  The driver or rider of a vehicle stationary at or approaching a controlled intersection or junction of roads and wishing to turn to the right shall, as soon as the intersection or junction is open to the vehicle, move forward as near as possible to the centre of the intersection or junction and await a safe opportunity to complete the turn to the right.
(2)  When turning the driver or rider of the vehicle shall proceed with due regard for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.
Vehicle making left turn at controlled road intersection or junction
9.—(1)  No driver or rider of a vehicle shall turn to the left at a controlled intersection or junction of roads when the signal facing such vehicle closes such intersection or junction, unless specifically permitted by these Rules so to turn.
(2)  At particular intersections or junctions where the turn to the left into crossing traffic is permitted, notices, lines or signs as defined in the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33) shall be placed to indicate such permission; and in such case the driver or rider of the vehicle shall proceed with due regard for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road and of the traffic stream which the vehicle seeks to enter.
Vehicle to draw up or stop parallel and close to left-hand side of roadway
10.—(1)  No person in charge of any vehicle shall draw up or stop the vehicle in any road except parallel with and as close to the left-hand side of the roadway and as close to the edge as possible —
(a)unless otherwise directed by notices, lines or signs or by a police officer in uniform engaged in the regulations of traffic; or
(b)except within an authorised parking place in the centre of the road and as directed by notices or lines by a police officer in uniform engaged in the regulation of traffic,
and in any case in such manner as not to cause unnecessary obstruction or annoyance to persons using the road.
(2)  In a one-way road a vehicle may be drawn up or stopped on either side of the roadway but so that it faces the direction in which the traffic may lawfully move.
Vehicle at uncontrolled road intersection or junction
11.—(1)  The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at an uncontrolled intersection or junction of roads shall give way to any vehicle approaching him from his right or off side.
(2)  The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at an uncontrolled intersection or junction of a one-way road shall —
(a)where the traffic flows from left to right, give way to any vehicle approaching him from his left or near side; and
(b)where the traffic flows from right to left, give way to any vehicle approaching him from his right or off side.
(3)  The driver or rider of a vehicle arriving at a roundabout shall give way to any vehicle or stream of vehicles immediately approaching him from his right or off side.
Ambulance, fire engine, etc., to have right of way
12.—(1)  Any vehicle used as an ambulance, or as a fire engine or for military, police, civil defence or customs purposes shall, when on an urgent duty call, have the right of way over all other traffic if such vehicle makes known its approach by means of some distinctive siren, bell or multi-toned horn, as the case may be.
(2)  All traffic shall on the approach of any such vehicle, draw in as close to the left-hand or right-hand edge of the roadway as possible and all vehicles shall be brought to a standstill to allow a clear passage for such vehicle.
(3)  Such action shall only be required of traffic when the vehicle is giving its recognised audible warning.
(4)  Paragraph (1) shall not relieve the driver of any vehicle used for the purposes mentioned in that paragraph of his liability under the provisions of any law relating to dangerous, rash or negligent driving.
No vehicle to make U-turn at road intersection or junction
13.—(1)  No driver or rider of any vehicle shall make a U-turn at any road intersection, road junction or opening in a road divider unless he is permitted to do so by a road sign.
(2)  A driver or rider of any vehicle making a U-turn under paragraph (1) shall —
(a)move as near as possible to the right-hand edge of the roadway;
(b)give way to any on-coming vehicle; and
(c)wait for a safe opportunity to complete the turn.
(3)  A driver or rider of any vehicle making a U-turn under this rule shall do so after the U-turn sign.
Load on vehicle not to obstruct sight of driver
14.  No part of a load or any covering placed over the load on a vehicle while it is on a road shall —
(a)obstruct the sight of the driver either to the front or to either side or to the rear;
(b)interfere with his ability to give the signals required by these Rules; or
(c)render such signals wholly or partially invisible to persons using the roads.
Load not to exceed certain dimensions
15.—(1)  No part of a load or any covering placed over a load on a vehicle while it is on a road shall project laterally beyond the body or wheels of the vehicle or any authorised fitting permanently attached to the vehicle other than as provided for in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2)  The rear overhang of a load shall not exceed 40% of the length of the vehicle or 1.8 metres, whichever is the lesser.
(3)  The overall width of the vehicle or of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection of its load shall not exceed 2.6 metres.
Deputy Commissioner of Police may authorise escort for certain loads
16.  Notwithstanding rule 15, the Deputy Commissioner of Police may authorise any police officer or officer belonging to the Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation to provide escorts for the transport on public roads, within stated hours by stated routes under stated conditions, of any load of such size or length that its transport would not be possible without infringing rule 15.
Load projecting laterally on vehicles to have red flag or lamp affixed
17.  Whenever a load is being transported on any road in the manner provided for in rules 15 and 16, a red flag by day and a red lamp by night shall be affixed to the extreme lateral projection (if any) and the extreme rear end of such load so as to be clearly visible and give adequate warning to other road users.
Load on vehicles to be secured by ropes or other proper material
18.  Whenever it is necessary to prevent the contents from falling out, the load on any vehicle on a road shall be secured by ropes or other proper material.
Side boards and tail board to be secured
19.  No vehicle shall be used on a road unless its side boards and tail board (if any) are adequately secured so as to prevent them from swinging or projecting beyond the body or wheels of the vehicle or of any authorised fitting permanently attached to the vehicle.
Signals, other than those required under rule 2, to be used in certain circumstances
20.  Whenever the size or construction of any vehicle or the size or nature of a load or of any covering over the load on such vehicle is such that the signals required by rule 2 when given are not fully visible to traffic approaching from the rear, a stop light and a direction indicator of an approved type as prescribed in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Construction and Use) Rules (R 9), capable of indicating the intention of the driver of such vehicle, shall be affixed to the vehicle in such a position that the device is clearly visible to traffic approaching from the rear and shall be used to give the signals for stopping and turning to the right or left.
No vehicle to be left unattended without rendering it immovable
21.  No vehicle which is on a public road or street shall be left unattended unless it is rendered immovable by the application of brakes or by some other sufficient means.
Restriction on parking of vehicles on roads
22.  No person shall park a vehicle —
(a)on any road between the edge of a roadway and any portion of an unbroken white line or unbroken double white lines laid down on such road;
(b)on any road where unbroken double yellow lines are laid down, from the point where such lines commence to the point they end;
(c)on the side of any road between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on any day except Sundays or gazetted public holidays if on that side of the road an unbroken yellow line is laid down;
(d)on the grass verge of a road;
(e)within any pedestrian crossing;
(f)within 6 metres of an intersection or junction of any road or street;
(g)within 9 metres of any bus stop; and
(h)within 3 metres on either side of any fire hydrant.
[S 67/2005 wef 14/02/2005]
Restriction on repairing of vehicles on roads
23.  No person shall repair a vehicle or permit a vehicle to be repaired on a road except in the case of an accident or a sudden breakdown where minor repair on the spot is necessary to enable the vehicle to be moved.
No vehicle to be used for purpose of advertisement without permit
24.—(1)  No vehicle shall be permitted to perambulate or remain on a road for the primary purpose of temporary advertisement without a written permit from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who may issue it subject to conditions.
(2)  Such permit shall not be granted if the construction of the vehicle or the construction or nature of the advertisement carried is likely —
(a)to cause danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons using the roads;
(b)to obstruct the sight of the driver either to the front or the sides;
(c)to interfere with the ability of the driver to give the signals required by these Rules;
(d)to render such signals wholly or partially invisible to persons using the roads;
(e)to require the use of the equipment of a public address system or radio amplifying system; or
(f)to be in contravention of any of the requirements of the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Lighting) Rules (R 10).
(3)  Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), a permit may be granted in respect of any vehicle used solely for the purpose of political advertisement by any candidate nominated for any election under the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 218).
Restrictions on parking of vehicles
24A.  No person shall park any vehicle within a Demerit Points No Parking Zone.
Restrictions on stopping of vehicles
24B.  No person shall stop any vehicle within a Demerit Points No Stopping Zone.
Restriction on stopping or parking of vehicles to load and unload goods
25.  No person shall stop or park any vehicle on any part of a road which is marked by perpendicular yellow lines for the purpose of loading or unloading goods --
(a)on Mondays to Fridays (with the exception of gazetted public holidays) between the hours of —
(i)7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.;
(ii)12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m.; and
(iii)4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and
(b)on Saturdays (with the exception of gazetted public holidays) between the hours of —
(i)7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.; and
(ii)12 noon and 2 p.m.
Causing obstruction to vehicles proceeding along road junction
26.  Any person who drives or rides, or turns a vehicle or part thereof into a yellow box indicated by yellow lines connecting the 4 corners of —
(a)a road junction and hatching the junction diagonally, notwithstanding that the light signals controlling the movement of vehicular traffic permit him to do so; or
(b)an area of road at a road junction on any part of the road as defined under rule 7(8) of the Road Traffic (Traffic Signs) Rules (R 33), notwithstanding that he has the right of way,
and by doing so causes obstruction to any other vehicle proceeding to or along that road junction or any part of the road shall be guilty of an offence.
Vehicles used in connection with road works to carry red flags or lamps to ensure safety
27.  Every vehicle used in connection with any road works shall carry sufficient red flags by day and sufficient red lamps by night to ensure the safety of road users and such flags or lamps shall be placed near the vehicle in such positions as to give adequate warning to approaching traffic.
No vehicle to be driven, parked or ridden on footway of road
28.  No vehicle, except perambulators, shall be driven, parked or ridden on the footway of a road.
No vehicle to be driven or ridden otherwise than in orderly manner
29.  No vehicle shall be driven or ridden upon a road otherwise than in an orderly and careful manner and with due regard for the safety of others.
No vehicle to be washed or cleaned on road
30.  No person shall wash or clean or cause or permit to be washed or cleaned any vehicle on a road.
No collection of persons to obstruct or prevent free flow of traffic
31.  No crowd or collection of persons shall remain in any road so as to obstruct or prevent the free flow of traffic.
Animals on road or footway
32.—(1)  No person shall —
(a)train, drive or ride;
(b)expose for sale; or
(c)lead, leave unattended or wash,
any animal on a road or the footway thereof.
(2)  Paragraph (1)(c) shall not apply to dogs.
(3)  Sheep or goats shall only be driven on a road between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 a.m. and shall be accompanied by a sufficient number of drovers to control them.
(4)  A person leading or riding a horse on a road shall have proper control over the horse and shall not cause any danger or obstruction to traffic.
Portable warning sign to be carried by heavy motor vehicle
33.—(1)  No person shall drive or cause to be driven on a road a heavy motor vehicle unless there is carried on that vehicle a portable warning sign of a type approved by the Minister.
(2)  Where a heavy motor vehicle is broken down or disabled and is standing on a road, the driver or person in charge of the vehicle shall forthwith place or cause to be placed on the road at a distance of not less than 20 metres from the rear of the vehicle the portable warning sign referred to in paragraph (1) so as to give a warning of danger visible to drivers of other vehicles on that road.
(3)  In this rule, “heavy motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle whose unladen weight exceeds 2,500 kg.
Type of portable warning sign
34.  For the purposes of rule 33, the portable warning sign shall be of the following type approved by the Minister for Home Affairs and it shall —
(a)conform with the requirements of the British Standard: Automobile Series Specification for Advance Warning Triangle to indicate Temporary Obstructions (B.S. AU 47: 1965);
(b)bear the PSB Regulatory Batch Inspection Label of the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board; and
(c)comply with the requirements specified in the Schedule.
Motor cyclists to switch on headlamps when riding
35.—(1)  The rider of a motor cycle shall keep the headlamp of his motor cycle lit whenever the motor cycle is in motion.
(2)  For the purpose of this rule, “headlamp” means a lamp on a motor cycle which is designed, when lit, to illuminate the road in front of the motor cycle.
Restriction on carriage of child pillion passengers
36.  No person riding a motor cycle or scooter on a road shall carry any child below 10 years of age as a pillion passenger.
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