Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Difficult to cross Singapore roads

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Difficult to cross Singapore roads

Singapore roads are wide. Vehicles travel quite fast, unless they are caught in a jam. It is difficult to cross the roads, especially for older people. The overhead bridges and traffic lights are not conveniently located and require a long walk.

The former athlete, Tan Eng Yeow, was knocked down and killed while crossing Upper Thomson Road, close to where I lived previously.

I prefer the traffic situation in Vancouver. In the city, there is a low speed limit. Most vehicles travel slowly. The drivers are courteous.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...: REX comments as follows.
In many parts of Singapore and especially Ang Mo Kio, the govt had actually did a lot of good things like covered walkways leading to the traffic crossings, and also the extended-minutes-green man override for seniors. All this do help us to cross roads with more safety to some extend.

However, there is one thing they forgot to do, and i don't think it costs that much (just take a 0.001% pay cut, LKY et. al, that should be enough)-- provide a bit of shelter at the pedestrian crossing traffic light corner. It gets very very hot and at some junctions pedestrian has to bear the heat waiting for traffic light to change. Pedestrian may find a tree but it is further away so he has to rush back to the junction to catch the green-man signal.. so most pedestrians just get heated up like pancakes to wait for traffic light change on hot days.

I wish they could provide some shelter at the designated crossings, any simple shelter, it will help the old folks, the infirm and those with young children. Singapore is so hot.

rex; February 17, 2010 1:43 PM
Anonymous said...: The traffic lights are also not elderly friendly. In some crossing, it is impossible for the elderly to cross and the time granted for the predestrian crossing is too short.; February 17, 2010 1:54 PM
Anonymous said...: I noticed that our drivers in Singapore would speed their way when the saw amber traffic light even they are quite far away from the traffic junction. When I learnt the highway code many years ago, we learnt that we should get ready to stop whenever the amber is on unless you are 1-2 metres away from the traffic junction. I don't understand why our drivers are so impatient. Anyway, most of the time, the drivers will still have to stop at the next traffic junction even after the successful beating the amber light at the junction before. Relax lah, Singapore drivers !!! Show kindness to pedestrians. You will appreciate it when your turn to become one. Cheers !; February 17, 2010 4:33 PM
Anonymous said...: I agree with Anon 4.33 above. When using zebra crossings I always find that some drivers will not stop for you to cross, even though they see you waiting by the side, as though pedestrians are transparent.

No use arguing with such people. They will tell you they pay road tax, so they have more right of way.; February 17, 2010 5:19 PM
Parka said...: There are too many inconsiderate drivers in Singapore, which explains the need for so many road humps.; February 17, 2010 5:39 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm in agreement that drivers in Vancouver are more courteous than Singaporean drivers.

But drivers in southern England are just as bad as we are.

And drivers in Paris will seldom if ever stop for you at zebra crossings!

Singapore is growing old. The challenge is whether we can change fast enough to adapt. Personally I doubt it. This country is the vision of one man and one man only.; February 17, 2010 7:21 PM
Concerned said...: Singapore has the worst and most impatient drivers in the world. Almost all drivers step on the accelerator when they are approaching a traffic light, especially when hey see a amber light a few metres away. They should learn from those Vietnamese motor-cyclist and drivers where the drivers always look out for pedestrians, slow down their vehicles and let the pedestrians cross first. Singaporeans driving vehicles just speed by ignoring the presence of pedestrians, thinking that all roads are their grand-father road. Solution: a jail term for any driver who knock down a pedestrian.; February 18, 2010 12:04 AM
Anonymous said...: Singapore roads narrow, vehicles move slower, easier to cross, some people not happy;

Now roads wider, vehicles move faster, difficult to cross, others not happy.

I think it is not the fault of the roads. Best way is to install speed camera.

But jaywalkers are also to blame. In the first place, they should not cross at places where there are blockage and tendency for vehicles to move fast.

We must learn not to jaywalk. Jaywalking is an offence. For me I always follow the law and I have not gotten into any accidents for the last 40 years; February 18, 2010 3:28 AM
Anonymous said...: "马路如虎口" - Road is like that of a roaring tiger, ever ready to prey on its next victim, be it the drivers, passengers or pedestrians. So, be extra careful when on the road. The tiger is working hard...; February 18, 2010 7:07 AM
Parallax said...: Even if we lowered Singapore's speed limit to 10kmh, Singaporean drivers will hardly be any more courteous.

Things are just too stressful here in Singapore. Any minute gained is immeasurable worth, or so we've been taught. So many precious lives have been lost on the roads just because of that one minute.; February 18, 2010 9:26 AM
Parallaxd said...: "It gets very very hot and at some junctions pedestrian has to bear the heat waiting for traffic light to change."

@rex Umbrellas, dude.... Singapore rains and shines. Dual use Umbrellas. Should we start installing fans in our bus-stops now? -.-"; February 18, 2010 9:29 AM
Anonymous said...: If you are an elderly, it is good to carry a walking stick when you cross the pedestrian crossing at slip roads etc.

If you see a rather fast car approaching when you are going to cross, point the stick at the car's windscreen.

It is one way to stop the car. It indicates to the driver that he should stop as you are going to cross. The car hitting the stick, would be better than hitting you. The stick also provides you an extra space between you and the car. The windscreen would be damaged too. It is also a sure way to indicate who is wrong, as it is a pedestrian crossing!; February 18, 2010 9:36 AM
Anonymous said...: from my observation,the present driving habits is detiorating becos these inpatient drivers tends to speed and never have the intention to give way to the padestrain esp the elders.I hopr LTA and The Traffic Police need to do somethings to curb it to save more lives.
As drivers,we should be alert all the time and consider for each others.

an elder; February 18, 2010 12:36 PM
Anonymous said...: One observation is that our drivers are usually late for any appointment. They always assumes that driving a car is always faster than walking or running; no traffic jams along the way; no problem getting a parking lot when they reach the destination. With all these perceived "advantages", why do you need to start your journey early? So, they would start their journey late, only to find out that all, except the first pointer, are working against them. They often resort to speeding and what have you, putting all road users at risk.
Lesson learnt : Just start your jouney early lah !If there is no traffic jam or plenty of parking lot, it is a bonus for you to talk cock with your friends to destress from the hard day work.; February 18, 2010 2:41 PM
Eddy Vlad said...: Remove some of the unnecessary time wasting traffic lights and the drivers will be more patient and drive slower. In Batam, you will hardly encounter a traffic light. And drivers drive slow. People cross safely without any traffic lights.

But where there are many traffic lights, somehow, drivers are more aggressive.

People drive for convenience and reach their destination faster. If you hinder that (traffic lights), drivers will get impatient. duh!; April 16, 2010 10:33 AM