Fewer traffic accidents in 2018 but more fatalities seen: Police

The number of fatal traffic accidents in Singapore increased slightly in 2018, even though there were fewer accidents than in 2017, said the police in a media release on Thursday (21 February).

According to figures released, there were 120 fatal accidents in 2018 compared with 117 in 2017, an increase of 2.6 per cent. The road traffic fatality rate per 100,000 members of population also increased slightly to 2.20 in 2018, from 2.16 in 2017.

Nevertheless, the total number of accidents resulting in injuries dropped by 0.5 per cent, from 7,726 cases in 2017 to 7,690 in 2018.

“The road traffic accident situation in 2018 remained stable,” said the police.

“While there were fewer speeding violations and related accidents, there were increases in the number of red-light running violations and related accidents, as well as drink-driving related accidents. Elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists continue to be of concern.”

More drink-driving, red-light running accidents in 2018

While the traffic police conducted more drink-driving enforcement operations in 2018 than in 2017, the number of arrests for the offence dropped by 3.7 per cent from 2,078 to 2,002.

However there were more drink-driving accidents last year with 176 cases, a 17.3 per cent rise from 150 in 2017. Cases in which motorcyclists who were drink-driving and got involved in accidents also saw a spike of 51.3 per cent, from 39 cases in 2017 to 59 cases in 2018.

“Traffic police will continue to take tough enforcement actions against drink-drivers, as they put not just themselves but also other road users at risk,” said the police.

The number of red-light running violations increased by 15.7 per cent from 46,599 cases in 2017 to 53,910 cases in 2018. Meanwhile, the number of red-light running accidents also increased by 2.6 per cent, from 117 in 2017 to 120 in 2018.

Speeding-related accidents on the decline

There were 719 cases of speeding-related accidents in 2018, a drop of 5.6 per cent from 762 cases in 2017. Speeding violation cases also dropped from 164,319 in 2017 to 156,157 in 2018.

To deter speeding, the traffic police has put up prominent warnings signs ahead of speed camera zones while speeding enforcement cameras are painted in bright orange. The locations of these cameras are listed on the Singapore Police Force’s website.

Since 17 December last year, the Average Speed Camera system has also been deployed along Tanah Merah Coast Road. It is also being considered for future use at other locations.

The system tracks the average speed of vehicles over a 4km stretch of road, allowing for sustained speed enforcement over the entire stretch rather than at a single spot.

The traffic police has also trialled blinker lights to warn motorists before they enter speed enforcement zones. These will be progressively implemented islandwide by 2022.

Elderly pedestrians a concern for traffic police

Elderly pedestrians remain a concern, as accidents involving this group accounted for 25 per cent of all accidents involving pedestrians (259 in 2018). Of these accidents, 40 per cent involved jaywalking.

Also, while the number of elderly pedestrian fatalities dropped from 26 in 2017 to 25 in 2018, it made up 62.5 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities in 2018, a jump from 57.8 per cent in 2017. About half of all fatal accidents involving elderly pedestrians last year were due to jaywalking.

Police have advised elderly pedestrians to use pedestrian crossings at all times, and to keep a lookout for oncoming vehicles, especially when crossing major roads, carparks, carpark entrances and service roads. It has also urged all motorists to look out for elderly pedestrians and give way to them.

Police will continue to educate senior citizens on the dangers of jaywalking, and have encouraged the public to inform their elderly friends and relatives to abide by traffic rules for their own safety.

Rise in motorcyclist, pillion rider fatalities

Another vulnerable group is motorcyclists, with the number of accidents resulting in injuries involving motorcyclists increasing by 2.1 per cent, from 4,270 cases in 2017 to 4,358 cases in 2018.

Motorcyclist and pillion rider injuries also rose from 4,803 to 4,837. They also accounted for almost half of all traffic fatalities in 2018, with 61 cases last year compared to 44 in 2017.

The traffic police will make simulation training compulsory for all learner motorists by the end of this year, and is exploring the introduction of defensive riding practical lessons as part of the Class 2B learner riding curriculum.

Campaign to improve public awareness on road safety concerns

On Thursday, the “Use Your RoadSense 2019” campaign was launched by Sun Xueling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and National Development. The campaign’s theme is “Take the Road to Responsibility”, and aims to improve the public’s awareness of road safety concerns.

“Over the past few years, the traffic landscape has changed significantly with the increasing prevalence of personal mobility devices and power-assisted bicycles,” said the police.

“There is a need to promote greater graciousness and responsibility amongst increasingly diverse groups of road users, and help them adjust and adapt to a more complex traffic environment.”

Over the next three years, the traffic police will engage various groups of road users in a nationwide study of public attitudes towards road use and safety. The findings from this study will help it track shifts in such attitudes and enable the formulation of further measures to improve road sense among road users.

Road users can participate in this study via the “Use Your RoadSense” Facebook page.

Stiffer penalties for irresponsible driving?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is also reviewing the criminal penalties for road traffic offences under the Road Traffic Act. It intends to impose stiffer penalties for irresponsible driving, especially in cases that result in death or hurt to others. This will serve as a stronger deterrence against risk-taking behaviours by motorists.

The public engagement on MHA’s review is from 21 February to 13 March. The public are invited to visit the REACH website to find out more and provide their feedback on the proposed changes, or e-mail RTA_Feedback@mha.gov.sg

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