Singaporeans are currently enjoying a luxurious Labour Day plus Hari Raya long weekend.
Those who’re still in Singapore might desire to add to the festive atmosphere by revving up their motorcycles and parading down the road with their friends.
A group of bikers did that at Geylang Serai, creating a stir on the road.
Unfortunately for them, they were swiftly stopped by the police, and members of the group were summoned.
A video posted by Singapore Road Accident on 1 May showed a large group of motorcycles parading down the road just in front of the very recognisable Geylang Serai Market and Food Centre.
As they pass through crowded traffic on Changi Road, under the bright Hari Raya decorations, loud honking can be heard.
However, that the noise is quickly taken over by the blare of police sirens, as at least three Traffic Police officers on motorbikes arrive on the scene.
One officer swiftly overtakes the entire group and stops right in front of them.
He gets off and gestures at the group to pull over by the side of the road.
There’s no escape, as the other officers station themselves towards the rear of the convoy.
A female onlooker can be heard exclaiming “oh my God!” in the video. “What a scene,” she continues.
Another video posted by @singapore_incidents on Instagram, also on 1 May, showed what happened after the Traffic Police’s intervention.
In the clip, the motorcyclists are now off their bikes, sheepishly waiting by the side of the road. People walking by can be heard cheering, “Selamat Hari Raya”.
The camera pans to five identity and FIN cards lying on the bonnet of a car, as the police take down the particulars of those present.
The incident occurred last Saturday (30 Apr), the Traffic Police told The Straits Times (ST).
They were conducting an operation with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) when they saw the motorcycle convoy on Changi Road.
From the stop, they identified two men as the organisers. They’re aged 22 and 23 years old.
Both of them will probed “for conducting an event on the road without a permit”, ST quoted the police as saying.
During their operation, the authorities also found 13 offences related to illegal vehicle modifications — these pertain to improper lighting systems, modified exhaust systems and non-compliant tinted films.
That same day, the Traffic Police posted on Facebook that they are aware that gatherings were being planned, involving “vehicles travelling in a convoy at different locations, dates and times in Singapore especially over this long weekend”.
Source: Use Your RoadSense on Facebook
They reminded the public that such events conducted on Singapore roads are illegal without a police permit.
Under Section 143(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, offenders face a fine of S$1,000 and/or a prison term of up to 3 months.
The Traffic Police also referred to an earlier event on 24 Apr, where several heavy vehicles drove down Changi Road towards Geylang Road, also passing by Geylang Serai.
They included prime movers, minibuses, vans and trucks.
Footage of this incident was posted on @sgfollowsall on Instagram.
The convoy appeared to be led by a truck with the words “Team Hiroshima Singapore” emblazoned on the side.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
The rest of the vehicles appeared to be grouped by type, with minibuses first.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
A group of bigger trucks subsequently followed.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
There seemed to be no end to the convoy, which took about 1-2 minutes to pass through completely, with passers-by recording it with their phones.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
According to the Traffic Police, the organisers of the heavy-vehicle convoy have been identified as three men aged between 22 and 26 years old.
They will be investigated for conducting an event on the road without a permit.
8World News reported that a total of 37 vehicles took part in the event.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
It was organised by truck driver group Team Hiroshima Singapore.
One of the organisers told the news outlet that said they’d initially wanted to head to Geylang Serai on the eve of Hari Raya (2 May).
However, after Covid-19 measures were relaxed recently, they brought the celebration forward.
The two recent incidents in Geylang Serai weren’t the only gathering of vehicle enthusiasts in the past week or so.
On 29 Apr, a supercar gathering was held near the Decathlon store in Kallang.
Source: TikTok
The event attracted hot cars like the Mazda RX8, Porsche 911 Turbo, and Ferrari 488 Special.
Of course, it also drew the police, who lined up in a “display” of their own.
Source: TikTok
The police are looking into the Kallang gathering, they told ST.
Organisers Basement 1, a car enthusiast website, posted on Facebook that the police were already aware of the event and had given the green light to it.
Source: Basement 1 on Facebook
However, “there were people being irresponsible” and they couldn’t be controlled.
Thus, the police had to take action.
They urged participants to cooperate and be responsible if future events are possible.
As we come to the end of the long weekend, it’s understandable that people may want to let their hair down.
However, we also need to be considerate towards members of the public, especially other road users, who might be endangered by irresponsible behaviour.
Thus, if organising vehicle events, do make sure that a police permit is obtained, and participants comply with the existing laws.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured images adapted from Singapore Road Accident on Facebook and @singapore_incidents on Instagram.
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