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Independent Singapore
21-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
Vapes on the rise: 16-year-old boy caught with 54 vape pods at home
SINGAPORE: The authorities have been cracking down on the use of e-vaporisers, also known as vapes, which are illegal in Singapore. A statement released by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Sunday (Jul 20) says that it is increasing its reporting channels for vape-related offences starting from Jul 21. 'The hotline service to report vaping-related offences will be expanded to operate seven days a week with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. HSA will also be launching a new online reporting platform, making it more convenient for the public to report illegal e-vaporiser activities,' the statement reads. The statement gave several examples of incidents of people getting caught with vapes in their possession, largely due to public tip-offs on official feedback channels. Notable among these examples is that of a 16-year-old boy, who was found with a large number of vaporiser pods in his home. These pods are used in a smaller type of portable vaping device. Because they are easier to use than other types, many young users prefer them. The teenage boy was caught on May 22, when his home was raided by officers from HSA. The driver of a private-hire car reported the boy and his friend, another 16-year-old male, after they reportedly vaped in his car while travelling along the Bukit Timah Expressway on May 18. After the traffic police seized two vapes from one of the boys, his house was searched during a follow-up check by an HSA officer. They seized 54 e-vaporiser pods and three e-vaporisers. Fortunately, no vapes or pods were found in the home of the other boy. Alarmingly, some of the pods that were seized by HSA were found to contain etomidate, an anaesthetic which can cause addiction and physical dependence. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Sunday that Singapore is now working towards listing it as an illegal drug. 'Vaping, especially those that are laced with etomidate, is increasing. It is causing quite serious concern amongst agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health,' he told reporters. At present, individuals who use drug-laced pods are subject to fines. However, when etomidate is listed under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act, users 'will be treated no differently from those who consume hard drugs and narcotics, such as cannabis or cocaine,' CNA reports Mr Ong as adding. HSA also said in its statement that a 21-year-old man who was allegedly distributing e-vaporisers and components in Bishan and Ubi was caught on July 11, and when the authority conducted raids, it was able to seize almost three tonnes of vapes. In May, HSA identified a 24-year-old man vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square and conducted a raid at his home. Officers were able to seize two e-vaporisers from his residence. 'With effect from 21 July 2025, those who have information on the illegal advertisement, import, distribution, sale or possession of e-vaporisers can contact HSA to support our enforcement efforts through two convenient channels,' HSA said. Members of the public may submit information through the online reporting form found here or scan the QR code found at the bottom of this page. /TISG Read also: Man claims someone put a vape in his bag while he was traveling to SG from Japan
CNA
07-07-2025
- CNA
Man jailed for driving into fellow private-hire driver after causing taxi stand collision
SINGAPORE: After causing a collision at a taxi stand because he forgot to engage his handbrake, a private-hire driver accelerated matters by suddenly driving off, hitting the other driver as a result. Aiden Ang Wee Hao, 33, was jailed for two weeks on Monday (Jul 7) and banned from driving for a year. The Singaporean pleaded guilty to one count of causing hurt by a rash act endangering personal safety. The court heard that Ang was working part-time as a private-hire driver in December 2023. At about 9.20pm on Dec 8, 2023, he dropped off four passengers at the taxi stand of The Centrepoint in Orchard Road. After the passengers had alighted, Ang stepped out of his seat to check on the car, but forgot to change his gear to "park" or engage his handbrake. The grey Mazda moved forward and collided with the back of a black Toyota Sienta, driven by Mr Yap Chee Hian, a 61-year-old full-time private-hire driver. Mr Yap was picking up passengers from the same taxi stand. After the collision, Mr Yap got out of his vehicle and both men discussed insurance claims and compensation for the accident. There were no threats, vulgarities or insults made, nor any shouting, the court heard. About three-and-a-half minutes into their conversation, Ang went back into his car and closed the door while Mr Yap continued talking to him. Mr Yap then made a call on his phone mid-conversation. Both men had not exchanged contacts. Mr Yap tried to talk to Ang while on the phone, but Ang started to reverse his car. Mr Yap responded by tapping on Ang's windscreen to get his attention. Ang paused briefly to talk to Mr Yap, but suddenly accelerated and turned his vehicle left to the adjacent lane to exit the taxi stand. Mr Yap dashed forward along Ang's car and slapped his bonnet once, but Ang continued moving for several metres until Mr Yap ran directly in front of his car. Even after Mr Yap had positioned himself in front of Ang's car, Ang continued to inch his car forward, such that Mr Yap ended up with his torso leaning over the bonnet. Mr Yap kept trying to communicate with Ang, slapping the bonnet again to get the car to stop. Ang briefly stopped his car and Mr Yap moved several steps backwards while using his phone. He then immediately drove forward, stopping only when his car made contact with Mr Yap's knee. Ang then reversed before lurching forward and braking just before contact with Mr Yap. Mr Yap flinched in anticipation, and Ang reversed his vehicle again until it was behind Mr Yap's car. This time, he turned right to rejoin the main road. Mr Yap tried to move in front of Ang's car again to stop him from leaving, but Ang continued accelerating even after driving into Mr Yap's right leg. The collision caused Mr Yap's leg to buckle, with Mr Yap's upper body sprawled over Ang's bonnet. Ang continued accelerating away and Mr Yap fell to the ground just beside Ang's front wheel. Ang then cut across the flow of traffic to make a U-turn before speeding off from the scene. The victim was taken to hospital with slight pain in his hip and buttock areas, with likely bruises. He was discharged that same day and given four days of outpatient sick leave. HIGH DEGREE OF RASHNESS: PROSECUTOR The prosecutor sought the sentence that was eventually meted out, noting that Ang had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty as early as he could. He noted the "high degree of rashness" Ang demonstrated, whose actions "bordered on being intentional". "The accused showed a sustained pattern of driving aggressively by inching his car forward multiple times even when the victim was positioned directly in front of him," said Deputy Public Prosecutor Timothy Ong. "During the last collision with the victim, the accused accelerated into the victim despite the victim's position in front of the accused's car being clearly visible to the accused in the driver's seat," he added. Mr Ong said Ang's rash driving and attempt to leave the scene must be seen "against the backdrop of his refusal to provide his particulars to the victim", after his "careless failure to secure the handbrake had caused a collision between two vehicles".
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Minister vows to ‘legislate' amid fears taxis are ‘dangerous' for children
Ministers 'will legislate' to tackle inconsistent taxi and private hire standards amid fears some vehicles 'are a dangerous place for many children and young people'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Government is taking licensing 'very seriously' after Baroness Casey identified 'many cases of group-based child sexual exploitation' as having links with taxis. In the Commons, Labour MP for Derby North Catherine Atkinson asked: 'What actions is the minister taking to review taxi licensing so that everyone can have confidence that the taxi and private hire industry is reliable, sustainable and safe for passengers and drivers themselves?' Ms Alexander replied: 'I can assure (Ms Atkinson) that we're taking this very seriously – we are reviewing licensing authorities' compliance with existing guidance, and we will hold those who do not follow it to account. 'And we will go further following the publication of Baroness Casey's review, and we've committed to taking legislative action to close the loopholes in the current licensing regime to achieve higher standards of safety across the board.' Antonia Bance, the Labour MP for Tipton and Wednesbury, later added: 'Last week, the Casey review showed us yet again that private hire vehicles are a dangerous place for many children and young people.' She referred to Wolverhampton, where 96% of taxi and private hire licence holders lived outside the city between April 2023 and March 2024, according to a report by Taxi Point, and asked: 'What action is the minister going to take to make sure that local taxi licensing is done locally to high standards?' Ms Alexander told MPs: 'Baroness Casey has rightly brought this issue into sharp focus and we've committed to legislating – as I said to (Ms Atkinson) – to addressing this issue. 'We will work as quickly as possible and consider all options including out-of-area working, national standards and enforcement, seeking the best overall outcome for passenger safety.' Responding to a written question this week, local transport minister Simon Lightwood said the Government would 'act urgently to make improvements' following Baroness Casey of Blackstock's national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse. This would include looking at 'how existing statutory guidance can be strengthened to further protect the public'. He added: 'Some important protections have already been put in place since earlier inquiries into child sexual abuse and exploitation. 'All licensing authorities in England now undertake extensive driver background checks, and since 2023, they are required to use a single database to prevent a driver refused a licence in one area on safety grounds going elsewhere. 'Careful consideration of the options is needed as we do not want any change to decrease the availability of highly vetted licensed drivers and vehicles and inadvertently increase the use of those offering illegal services that evade these licensing checks.' Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell asked what steps the Department for Transport would take 'to close the loophole that enables taxi drivers to apply for a licence in one area and operate in another'. Baroness Casey dedicated a chapter of her audit to taxi licensing. 'As a key part of the nighttime economy, taxis have historically been identified in a minority of cases as a way children can be at risk of sexual exploitation, both as a potential way for perpetrators to meet their victims, as well as a means of trafficking victims to different locations and introducing them to other perpetrators,' Baroness Casey found. 'Many cases of group-based child sexual exploitation have highlighted links with taxis.' She later added 'a lack of stringency means that drivers who are unscrupulous can apply to a lax neighbouring borough' for a licence, and urged the Government to 'close these loopholes urgently'.
CNA
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
‘Have a life besides driving': Death of private-hire driver a wake-up call, say those in industry
SINGAPORE: The death of 49-year-old private-hire driver Gavin Neo from a stroke in May was a 'wake-up call' for those in the industry looking to cash in on working long hours, some drivers say. Friends said Mr Neo often spent up to 15 hours behind the wheel to provide for his teenage son and daughter. Private-hire drivers CNA spoke to said that while they have the freedom to choose the number of hours they work, incentive structures set up by ride-hailing platforms - offering cash bonuses for completing more trips - can push them beyond their limits, and should be reviewed. Other said however that it was also up to the individual to know their physical limits and not blindly chase after cash rewards. Working long hours for more incentives was precisely what Mr Lincoln Khoo did when he joined ride-hailing platform Grab in January last year. 'For me it was very simple, the motivation to drive long hours is only one thing: Money, income,' said the 40-year-old, who drives part-time and does emceeing and hosting gigs as well. 'The more you drive, you will earn much more." Under a newcomer incentive at that time, he could get up to S$3,000 (US$2,300) in cash bonuses if he completed at least 200 trips for the first four weeks. The current newcomer incentive on Grab's website shows that to get the highest possible cash incentives, drivers have to complete 200 trips per week for four weeks. There are lower incentives for completing 125 rides per week. What does 800 trips a month look like? Mr Khoo laid out his schedule: A daily 18 hours of driving from Monday to Friday, followed by 26 hours of driving from Saturday afternoon to Sunday -over four weeks. He said he slept in during all the hours he was not on the road, and took short coffee breaks and washed his face in between drives to keep awake. For racking up a total of 845 trips in his first four weeks, he earned S$15,000 - S$12,000 from rides and S$3,000 in cash bonuses. Taking into account expenditures on fuel and rental, he took home about S$10,000 that month. Was it worth it? Mr Khoo described himself as 'the kind of person where if you give me a challenge, I want to fulfil the challenge'. But he acknowledged it was not a sustainable routine. After that initial burst out of the blocks, Mr Khoo 'took it easy' and drove shorter hours, taking home S$3,000 the next month. 'If you do it continuously for six months, you'll start to feel the effects.'
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Major change to 'the knowledge' for Bristol taxi drivers
Most Bristol taxi drivers will no longer have to learn by heart the thousands of routes around the city. At a meeting of the city council's public safety and protection committee on Tuesday councillors unanimously approved changes to part of the test known as "the knowledge". The changes - which apply only to private hire drivers, not Hackney cabs - means the requirement to memorise the city's geography will be scrapped in favour of a new approach. Councillor Sarah Classick, who chairs the committee, said it was "not about making the test easier to pass", but rather bringing it more in line with more modern guidance. "Because all journeys are pre-booked a lot of drivers now rely on things like sat navs," she said. "As such the sections where they have to have that memory of where every pub, club and restaurant is in Bristol is a bit outdated, and seems to be a bit of a barrier to good drivers passing the knowledge test." It emerged at the end of May that "the knowledge" would be scrapped, but Ms Classick said other parts of the test such as those on road safety, legislation and policy and disability awareness would all remain in place. She also insisted that drivers would still be tested on their knowledge of Bristol - not confusing, for example, Greenbank Road in Southville with Greenbank in Easton - but said the test as it stood was a "barrier to good drivers passing". Though councillors have approved a new approach in principle there will not be any changes made immediately. Ms Classick said council officers would now be asked to look into examples of best practice from other cities that have already made a similar change, and any new elements of the test would need to be approved by the committee.
