Top 10 accident hotspots in Singapore
Mr M, 47, was a former senior sales and marketing manager at an electronics MNC for nine years before he was retrenched in 2009. Married with a wife and twin teenage sons, he tried his hand at being a financial advisor for a year before deciding to become a taxi driver. He has been running his taxi service since 2011. He survived a heart-attack in late 2012 and now has four stents in his heart. His philosophy on life is now to live well, stay healthy and to share his real-life experiences. In his third post on Taxi Talk, he talks about the top 10 accident hotspots in Singapore.
After last week’s unfortunate accident involving a Mercedes and taxis last week at Bugis Junction (and before that the infamous Ferrari crash), this week I thought I would share the top 10 accident areas in Singapore. This list is not in any way scientific or according to any official data by the Singapore Police, but it identifies the trouble spots as shared in the taxi driver community.
1. Cross junction at Bugis Junction/ Rochor road
This has been the site of three major accidents within the past year – first with the Ferrari, then the Lexus and, last week, the black Mercedes. In all these cases, the drivers of the private cars were known to have exceeded the normal speed limit and beat the red light.
2. PIE near Clementi Ave 6 exit
Look out for the area from the city at the slip road exit to Clementi Ave 6, heading to the tunnel and filter exit to the Commonwealth West road. This stretch of road is regularly congested due in part to the narrow and short turns and exit along the stretch. Many heavy vehicles like to use this part of road. It was here where I witnessed a nasty accident in which a white BMW car hit the divider between the filter lane and the tunnel. That happened several months ago.
3. PIE near Simei Road exit
Heading to PIE, the stretch of two lanes merging into one is too short and near, which may cause drivers to misjudge the distance and therefore run into accidents. The stretch of PIE roads from Bedok – Eunos – Paya Lebar – Kallang to CTE is also notorious for being dangerous during morning/evening peak hours. Many accidents are known to have occurred there. The same is true for the reverse route in the evening peak hours (ie: Toa Payoh – Kallang – Paya Lebar – Eunos). Just a few months ago, my buddy had related to me that he had seen a pile up of multiple crashed vehicles at Eunos fly over, causing major traffic jams tailing all the way back to Thomson fly over area. It was really horrific and he was caught in it for more than 1 hour.
4. PIE near exit to BKE Woodlands
Heavy jams happen along this stretch, especially during peak hours. Many frequent accidents occur when filtering to either BKE or heading to Jurong. During one raining evening, an accident involving a motor-cycle, lorry, van and car caused traffic to tail back to Toa Payoh - Kallang area. Traffic was nearly at a stand-still for at least 1.5 hrs.
5. Lornie Road
Be careful on the stretch of road leading from Braddell, Lornie, Adam and Farrer Road. Heavy jams beset it during morning peak hours and same is also true for the reverse route during the evening peak hours. The roads are widely used by motorists to bypass ERPs along the CTEs during both morning and evening peak hours. Motorists also use the stretch of road leading to PIE/ AYE during the morning peak as well.
6. ECP/ KPE exits near Sheares Bridge
Watch out for the area from the City going up to Benjamin Sheares’ Bridge and down to KPE (Kallang – Paya Lebar Expressway). I have seen many accidents in the evening peak hours, as many motorists head home. Traffic jams can easily tail all the way back to the AYE – Keppel area.
7. ECP along Rochor Road
Especially heavy during morning peak hours heading from Marine Parade to Rochor exit, this stretch can become really jammed whenever there is an accident or road works along it. There have been times when traffic tailed back from Keppel to Bedok when major accidents occurred.
8. PIE/ KJE at Chua Chu Kang
The stretch which leads from Bukit Timah/ Bt Panjang/ Chua Chu Kang has its fair share of accidents, usually involving heavy vehicles (especially morning and evening peak hours).
9. Yishun Ave and Lentor Avenue
The roads are heavily used by residents in Yishun/ Sembawang, especially morning peak hours. The reverse is true in the evening peak hours.
10. Orchard Turn leading to Takashima/ Paragon
This road is heavily used in the late afternoon/ evening peak hours, and it can turn nasty when accidents have occurred. I can vividly recall that during Christmas time last year, an accident involving two vehicles caused traffic to slow to a near stand-still. It took me more than 30 minutes to go from 313 Mall to Paragon Mall (whereby the distance between the Mall was less than 1 km).
How can you drive safely and avoid traffic jams and accidents?
Plan the route to take in advance. Having alternative route – B or C – may be helpful.
Buffer your travelling time, anticipate traffic jams during peak hours in the morning and evening.
Be alert at all times. If you are tired – slow down and keep to the extreme left and drive within the speed limit. Do not speed excessively, always keep within the speed limit.
Listen to live LTA Traffic News updates, which are aired at regular intervals at 93.8FM or other channels. Have an exit route prior to traffic jams to help to lighten your travelling stress.
Always signal your intention if you need to change lane or filter to exits.
Exercise caution when weather turns foul… during rain or a thunder storm. You are advised to turn on your head lamp during foul weather. Do not turn on high beam light.
Stay focused on the road and follow all traffic rules. Do not tail gate.
Listen to soothing music on the go to relieve any anxiety or work stress or traffic stress.
So, just to be safe, drive safely and defensively if you find yourself on any of those 10 roads.
