TRANSPORT Minister Raymond Lim said in Parliament last week that the Land Transport Authority was considering flashing the ERP rates at the gantries to help motorists make "considered decisions".

I hope the LTA will not implement this redundant and potentially dangerous proposal as it is a waste of money. By the time motorists see the rates at the gantries, it would be too late for them to divert. In fact, it could be dangerous because some motorists, realising that they could be a couple of seconds before the ERP rates go off, may suddenly slow down or change lane.

Therefore, the flashing of ERP rates at the gantries is a serious distraction for drivers and a road safety hazard.

Instead, the LTA should consider setting up a free SMS service, which allows motorists to SMS it to find out the ERP charges for a certain location in the next half hour, for instance. The drivers can then make "considered
decisions" on the route to take.

We need a motoring culture in which drivers plan before their journey, not one where people drive dangerously to save on ERP charges.

Alternatively, the LTA could use just one ERP rate at all gantries so that there is no confusion, and this would also ensure complete transparency.

If, as the Minister believes, motorists are only concerned about having a smooth and faster journey, then it does not matter if the rates are fixed or not because, to them, an additional dollar charged is not going to deter them from using that road.

Mr Lee Shing Kian