Thursday, June 28, 2012

Defensive driving

I drive within the speed limit of 50 km on most roads. If a dog or child that run across the road or a car comes out of the side road unexpectedly, I will be able to stop in time. I wish to avoid a collision or accident, even if I have the right of way.

When crossing a road intersection now, I pay attention to Ferrari or Lexus that may come speeding to beat the light. It does not matter who has the right of way, I do not want to get into their way.

I find young people driving too fast. I advised them to drive more slowly. If there is any unexpected accident, they can be hurt badly. It is better to be safe than sorry. There is no need to be in a rush. Our roads are congested anyway - so allow more time for the travel.

8 comments:

Xianlong said...

"It does not matter who has right of way, i do not want to get into their way"
====================
Mr Tan, I find your statement amusing. Yes some people are fast fast fast as though rushing to go 'reincarnate' according to a chinese phrase.

Unfortunately the need for speed culture is embedded in many people. In instant messaging age, many expect instant replies.

Some find mircowave cook not fast enough. They prefer food that can tear off wrapper & straight away eat.

Some folks think answeing emails as quickly as possible at work will lead to promotion & success.

The concept of SLOOOW is lost among many sinkies.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Tan, I think traveling at 50 km is too slow and it will cause traffic jam especially at the express way. The road need to clear x number of vehicles per hour and driving at that speed will cause a jam and in fact may invite accident as drivers becomes inpatient.

Tan Kin Lian said...

@8.36 am. For expressway, the speed limit is 70 km. So, it is all right to keep within this limit.

C H Yak said...

Why Singaporeans drivers do not slow down even if they see pedestrains are crossing ... is this partly the fault of LTA / Traffic Police? ... worst; they are driving at 80km or faster. I think they purposely drive faster to prevent pedestrains from crossing "so they have right of the way"...although they know they are exceeding the spped limit.

Anonymous said...

I think mr tan if u drives 50 km per hour at expressway, the traffic police can give u a ticket for road hogging

Anonymous said...

On major roads and expressways, it is prudent to maintain speed with the majority. Even if the speed limit is 90km, if the rest of the traffic is traveling at 110km, we should follow.

Sticking to the kiasu official speed limit in this instance can be fatal for self and cause fatalities for others.

It is also very unsafe to follow behind a slow vehicle traveling 20km below the limit.

Move with the rest.. otherwise you will cause accidents.

Lye Khuen Way said...

First, I am one who in this unique Singapore context of Right Hand drive choose to drive on the left most lanes most time.
Why?
Almost no heavy vehicles nor pickups nor vans would use this "slow Lane" !
So most of the time on the expressway I could be faster than that Ferrari on the 1st lane! Yes, only in uniquely Singapore.
2nd reason : no TP nor LTA enforcement to talk about.

I do "overtake" from the 2nd lane by going to the 3rd Lane.. Any thing wrong? Especially, if the vehicle in front choose to drive at 70km per hr when the speed limit is 90 km per hr. Actually, most of the time, after switching to the 3rd lane, I stay there.....No vehecles in front.....

One British acquaintance once express horror, when I overtake on the left.

I had to spelt out my reasons and ask him how am I to overtake on the right, if there are no safe way, no gap on the right lane?

So that is the current culture of road use in our Uniquely Singapore. Sad but what to do if the LTA and the SPF and Whoever is in charge of Safety, choose to see no-evil, 24/7.

Anonymous said...

I applaud Mr. Tan for driving 50km on most roads (I am assuming you are not hogging the rightmost lane) and avoiding fast cars even though he has the right of way.

This should be the right attitude for all drivers. Those who cannot drive fast or do not wish to drive fast, just be a little more kiasi and drive within the speed limit and stay out of the way and keep inside the leftmost lane.

Just leave the rightmost lane and the second rightmost lane to us: the experienced, the fast drivers and those who are most skillful than the rest of the population. We will help you to fully utilize these lanes.

What we do not like to see are people blocking our way and slowing us down.

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