Monday 6 May 2024

Brunei: General Driving Standards


GENERAL DRIVING STANDARDS
 

Reference:

A. BFB Standing Order 1007 Annex A dated 14 September 2022.

1. These Standing Orders require that all BFB personnel maintain the following standards when in charge of a vehicle, driving and/or travelling as a passenger in a vehicle. These standards apply in all locations in Brunei (whether on public roads, BFB establishments or elsewhere). Breach of these standards may lead to administrative action, disciplinary action, and/or Bruneian penalties or prosecution.

2. Basic safety standards.

a. Seat belts are to be worn at all times by all occupants.

b. Children are to be restrained in an approved Car Seat (i.e. in the seat that the relevant child would be legally required to use if they were travelling in a vehicle in England and Wales).

c. Displayed speed limits are to be adhered to. Where no speed limit is displayed within residential or business areas, vehicles are to adhere to a speed limit of 50 km/h.

d. Communication devices (including but not limited to mobile phones and tablets) are not to be used in a manner that would not be legal in England and Wales when driving.

e. Driving when under the influence of alcohol (i.e. when in a condition in which it would be illegal to drive under the law of England and Wales) is strictly forbidden.

3. The following acts are prohibited:

a. Driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention; i.e. in a way that falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful UK driver.

b. Driving a motor vehicle without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, so that they are inconvenienced by the driving.

c. Driving a motor vehicle dangerously, i.e. in a way that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful UK driver and is obviously dangerous.

d. Driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous state, i.e. when it would be obvious to a competent and careful UK driver that driving the vehicle in that state would be dangerous.

e. Driving a motor vehicle when unfit to do so through drink or drugs, i.e. when, due to consumption of alcohol or any other intoxicant, the driver’s ability to drive properly is impaired.

f. When driving a motor vehicle; failing to stop, and/or failing to provide service number, rank and name, if in any way involved in a collision or other road traffic incident.

g. Having driven a motor vehicle that was in any way involved in an accident or other incident causing injury or damage, failing to immediately report the accident or other incident to the chain of command.

h. Driving, or permitting another person to drive, a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence for the class of vehicle in question.

i. As a provisional licence holder, driving a motor vehicle without:

(1) Clearly displaying proper ‘L’ plates on the front and rear of the vehicle (as would be required for learners in England and Wales); and

(2) Being supervised by a person of at least 21 years of age, qualified to drive that type of vehicle and who holds, and has held for at least 3 years aggregate, a full driving licence, and who is present in the vehicle (or on another motorcycle in the case of a motorcycle).

j. Driving, or permitting another person to drive, a motor vehicle (other than a service vehicle when properly authorised to) without a valid insurance policy covering 3rd party risks.

k. Riding, or being a passenger on, a motorcycle without wearing a proper helmet (i.e. a motorcycle helmet that would be legal for motorcycle use in England and Wales).

l. Riding a bicycle without due care and attention, i.e. in a way that falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful UK cyclist; or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place.

m. Riding a bicycle dangerously, i.e. in a way that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful UK cyclist and is obviously dangerous.

n. Riding a bicycle when unfit to do so through drink or drugs; i.e. when under the influence of alcohol, or any other intoxicant, to the extent of being incapable of having proper control of the bicycle.

o. Failing, without reasonable excuse, to adhere to any official traffic sign or road marking (for example by exceeding the speed limit or parking on double yellow lines).

p. Breaching the speed limits that apply within Medicina Lines (15 KPH) or Tuker Lines (20 KPH).

q. Parking outside of designated areas. Areas where parking is not permitted are marked / notified by either:

(1) ‘Double Yellow’ lines.

(2) ‘No Parking Signs’.

(3) Notifications on Part One Orders.

r. Being in charge of a motor vehicle, meaning in control of it preparatory to driving it, when unfit to drive through drink or drugs; i.e. when, due to consumption of alcohol or any other intoxicant, the person in charge’s ability to drive properly is impaired (unless it can be proven by the impaired individual that there was no likelihood of them driving the vehicle whilst they were so impaired).

4. Officers, NCOs and duty personnel who have reasonable grounds to suspect that a vehicle is being driven within BFB establishments by a person under the influence of alcohol are authorised to stop the vehicle. If they have reasonable grounds to believe that the driver is a person subject to service law or a civilian subject to service discipline, and that the driver is under the influence of alcohol (e.g. smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteadiness or any other indicator), then they are to order them to drive no further, including the distance from the place the vehicle has stopped to the barrier, if deemed necessary. The driver is to comply with such an order.

5. Compliance. Non-compliance of the above in accordance with BFB Standing Order 1007 may result in:

a. Fines or criminal court proceedings issued by the Bruneian authorities;

b. Disciplinary Action; and / or

c. Administrative Action.