After repeated complaints from the public, the Traffic Police installed a surveillance camera on a lamp post along the viaduct towards the Woodlands Checkpoint from the Bukit Timah Expressway on June17.

While queue-jumping per se is not a traffic offence, the roads where the cars line up to clear checks at the Causeway have double white lines and crossing them is banned.

Within a week, the camera nabbed 137 errant motorists who crossed the double white lines in order to jump the line of cars heading to Malaysia.

At this rate, the number of summonses issued to drivers who cross double white lines islandwide is set to double. Last year, 7,500 motorists were nabbed for this offence on all roads here.

Going by the one-week figure, another 7,100 offenders a year will be snapped by the camera at the Causeway. This offence carries a maximum fine of $160 and four demerit points.

Singaporeans who travel often to Malaysia using the Woodlands Checkpoint are just happy that something is being done to tackle the queue-cutting problem.

Businessman Richard Loh was late for a meeting in Johor one recent Friday morning and spent 45 minutes inching his way forward in the queue when he had an unpleasant encounter.

A red Honda drew up alongside him, cut into his path and got ahead of him in the queue. 'It's so frustrating when we dutifully queue up for hours, and inconsiderate drivers simply cut in.'

Mr Loh, 47, said this is a scenario he faces without fail every time he heads to Johor Baru for his thrice-a-week meetings.

Retiree Joseph Lim, 65, who drives to JB to play golf twice a week, said: 'One car cutting into my path won't delay me by very much, but it's a matter of principle. If most people can follow the rules, why can't everyone else?'

Mr Joseph Kunjiraman, who drives to JB every other day, said: 'If you don't inch forward in three seconds, a driver will cut into the gap and jump queue. There's nothing much the rest of us can do.'

The businessman wrote in to The Straits Times Forum in May, complaining about the increasing number of 'ungracious drivers' at the Causeway.

These errant vehicles travel on the left lane designated for motorcycles, then encroach onto the path of other vehicles by cutting across a set of double white lines to enter the lane meant for cars.

When The Straits Times visited the Woodlands Checkpoint, traffic was heavy - the queue was at least 600m long in the car lane on the viaduct.

In 10 minutes, at least eight cars were spotted travelling on the motorcycle lane, bypassing the snaking car queue before cutting back in when they were nearing the immigration counters.

Businessman Chan Weng Kei, 47, who drives up to Johor three times a week, said such tactics can save a driver up to 30 minutes in waiting time.

'These queue-cutters are opportunists and risk-takers,' he said.

Motorists interviewed added that those unhappy with the queue-cutters sometimes sound their car horns or quickly shoot forward, refusing to let errant drivers cut in. These incidents usually result in ugly spats.

Some motorists wanted the police to do more, like station officers along the double white lines. Others suggested building a divider between the motorcycle and car lanes.

The police said they will continue to monitor the traffic situation at both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints and may install more cameras if needed.

mavistoh@sph.com.sg