Stop in the name of love

I SAY

Craig D’Souza

I REFER to “Do more to curb ‘red light jumping’” (May 18).

It is of utmost importance to highlight that Mr Martin C Conisbee’s account of red light jumping three times last week is not indicative of the true frequency of this occurrence.

I have noticed this trend increasing within the last year itself, especially since I use public transport frequently and am forced to cross road junctions often.

The day would not be normal if at the traffic light, I do not see a vehicle beat the right-turn green arrow, even after it has turned red.

I wonder if due to high operation costs, the red light cameras have been switched off.

This seems to have emboldened errant drivers who streak across even if the light is not on their side.

This blatant devil-may-care attitude struck home hard last week. My mum was preparing to turn right as the green right-turn arrow lit up, when she noticed that something was amiss on the other side of the road and jammed her brakes just in time to avoid a lorry hurtling across the road. The light was clearly red on his side, and while my mother had the undeniable right of way, it seemed the lorry driver wanted to usurp that right.

With such arrogant and aggressive driving, is there any wonder why there are now more accidents on the road? Or why car insurance premiums are rising?

Why are we driving like Third-World drivers in a First-World country? The risks and harm clearly outweigh the benefits of beating a red light.

I sincerely hope the authorities will take such drivers to task.

More importantly, I urge road users to be responsible and exercise restraint and caution.

The next time you beat a red light, think about the consequences of doing something so reckless and imagine what would happen if a loved one got killed because of a similar act of recklessness.

From TODAY, Voices – Wednesday, 20-May-2009

Related articles by Zemanta

• Rise in accidents involving foreignregistered trucks (telegraph.co.uk)

Road safety: Basic theory for schools?

Here is a look at the same situation from another’s viewpoint…

Letter from Tan Choon Heng

I REFER to “7 in 10 killed on roads were jaywalkers” (May 13) and “Road to a Solution” (May 14).

Being a densely populated country, I believe the only way to minimise and prevent road accidents in Singapore is for all road users, regardless of age, nationality, transport class, transport mode, to learn, understand and strictly conform to a common code of practice and conduct on the road.

I think we should start young and nurture them on the basic knowledge and understanding on how to behave and protect themselves on the road. The best approach here is to introduce a modified “basic theory” as a compulsory subject for primary school kids because a weekend getaway at some road safety park is not much better than going to an amusement park.

There should also be a compulsory simplified basic theory test for all foreigners to ensure they are familiar with Singapore’s road system and safety practice. Drivers who do not signal should also be given heavier fines.

From TODAY, Voices; Friday, 15-May-2009

Related articles by Zemanta

• Bicycle Accident Lawyer and Bike Nut Offers 3 Tips for Safer Riding (zifflaw.com)

ROAD TO A SOLUTION?

This person has a point. Whether it is the pedestrian or the driver at fault, could it be that Singapore, in its 'safe-as-a-vault' environment, has made the people lax and relax, with lowered guards every time, and to raise their voice to summon the higher authorities' help when in distress? I could be generalizing, but I am also making my point here. This is my opinion, based on my observation…

-----

More analysis needed to the root cause of pedestrian deaths on roads.

Letter from Chen Khin Wee

I refer to "7 in 10 killed on roads were jaywalkers" (May 13). I find this baffling.

In less developed countries with relatively few pedestrian crossings and overhead bridges, the act of crossing a road is routinely performed by tens of thousands of people, including school children, with relatively few untoward incidents.

To them, it is a matter of common sense to look left, right and left again, and to cross only when the way is clear.

It would be helpful if the authorities provide details as to who the people getting killed on Singapore's roads are, and the circumstances surrounding the accidents.

Were they children who were not properly trained in road safety?

Were they young people distracted by conversation with their friends or plugged into their music players, rendering them oblivious to their surroundings?

Were they impatient office workers trying to beat the lights at signalled crossings in order to catch a train?

Were they elderly folk with failing eyesight and hearing?

Or perhaps they were those who failed to come to terms with the fact that they were no longer as agile as they used to be, and dodging traffic was not as easy as when they were younger.

We require a more sophisticated analysis to the problem to find an appropriate solution.

Imposing a fine or a blanket ban on jaywalking is an easy way out, but is unhelpful if the problem is to be solved meaningfully and effectively.

From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 14-May-2009