When I Was Young

Letter from Martin C Conisbee

I WITNESSED yet another case of “red light jumping” along East Coast Road on Thursday morning. In this case it was a taxi and it was at the Siglap Park Connector junction.

This is the third case of “red light jumping” I have witnessed in a week and I cannot understand the mentality of drivers who would risk either killing a pedestrian or causing a vehicle collision just to save a few minutes at a traffic light. Surely these offenders can be identified from camera footage and charged by the police accordingly.

I have driven in some “colourful” countries around the world but have to say the red light jumping in Singapore is the worst I have ever seen.

Maybe the offenders need a refresher course on how to drive with safety and consideration for others in mind. It could be that a countdown system at traffic signals would discourage red light jumping. It has certainly been effective in Bangkok.

From TODAY, Voices – Monday, 18-May-2009

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