Singapore Expats

Question: Why is it that when you hop into a taxi you're instantly reminded to buckle up or face some huge fine, yet you constantly see open bed trucks (lorries) over flowing with foreign laborers travelling the expressways, with no protection, at break-neck speeds??? Is their safety and life not worth as much as others??

Personally, having lived here for so long and watched Singaporean drivers in action, I don't need to be told (or threatened with a fine) to buckle up!

Way_Fast_Whitey wrote:Is their safety and life not worth as much as others??

Personally, having lived here for so long .........

Then you already know the answer to that one. Different lives are worth different amounts! I'll not use the "R" word, but life is cheaper depending where you are from and your perceived educational level.

You're right, I know the answer, just curious to what others think it might be.

I've had two taxi drivers in 2 and 1/2 years ask me to buckle my belt. No others cared.

more taxi drivers have offered me free candy (1) then told me to buckle up (0).

i buckle up anyways. no matter what....

especially after what happened to Gov Jon Corzine in New Jersey.

In my first month here, I have used taxi everyday at least twice which makes quite a good number in total. None of the taxi drivers have warned me about safety belt. In some taxis, when taxi meter is activated, it automatically warns the passenger. My impression is that taxi drivers don't care about it.

Coming to the other point, I also find it quite funny to see people packed up in trucks without any safety precautions and nobody is doin anything about it. Every life is equally worth and even if they are not educated enough to think about it, Singapore authorities should take some action on this matter.

That's what I really was talking about, I know the taxi drivers really don't care. I just think it's interesting that the government have this rule for taxi passengers (who most likely can afford a hefty fine) and to hell with a bunch of low-wage foreign laborers overflowing in the back of a truck. If a disaster happens, big deal, import more of them to finish building that big condo.

I thought the driver is the one who gets the fine if his passengers aren't wearing their seatbelts? I've seen cabbies remind pax if they aren't wearing theirs...

The driver may as well....I know they get fined if they get caught talking on their mobile sans hands-free.

I am staying in Singapore for nearly 3 yrs. , and only on 2 3 occasions did a driver told me to fasten my seat belt, though the recorded mess. is always there.....
The drivers really don't care...