Look out on the road!!

In 2010, there were more traffic accidents leading to injuries or deaths than in 2009 - with 8622 cases in 2010 compared with 8505 in the previous year. More people also died on the roads, with 195 deaths compared with 183 in 2009.

Although motor cars make up the biggest proportion of vehicles, drivers cannot assume they always have the right of way and expect motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians to give way to them. On the other hand, the latter groups must also play their part in keeping themselves safe.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists and pillion riders formed the largest number of deaths on the road, with 78 motorcyclists and 11 pillion riders killed. This is a slight improvement from the 83 motorcyclist and 9 pillion deaths in 2009.

Police investigations showed that the main causes of motorbike accidents are a loss of control of the bike and failure to keep a proper lookout.

A large number of fatal motorbikes accidents also happened on the expressways. One reason could be motorcyclists riding on the right and centre lanes of expressways, which are not the safest places for them.

Cyclists

As for cyclists, 17 died in accidents in 2009, compared with 22 in 2008. Figures for the whole of 2010 are not available yet.

A problem cyclists and motorcyclists face is competition for road space. The bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act (bicycle rules) and must be ridden on the road and observe all traffic rules. As for motorists, they must keep a safe distance of at least 1.5m when passing cyclists according to the Highway Code. But maintaining this distance is not possible when all lanes are occupied in heavy traffic.

Jaywalkers

Accordingly to police statistics, 55 pedestrians were killed last year, up from 45 in 2009 Crossing without looking out for oncoming cars, and jaywalking, were the main causes of pedestrian deaths. A 2008 study by the University of Ohio found that the number of pedestrians who had to visit hospital emergency rooms because they tripped, fell or walked into something while using their mobile phones has been doubling every year since 2006. At least 2 American states are mulling over laws that ban the use of electronic devices while walking or jogging, citing the dangers that users pose to themselves and those around them.

The Traffic Police has no plans to introduce such laws here as enforcement would be difficult. But a spokesman from the Singapore Road Safety Council said there is "anecdotal evidence that motorists are concerned about the erratic behaviour of some pedestrians using sch device".

The elderly

Another area of concern is that senior citizens made up more than half of pedestrian fatalities that occurred. Among the 55 pedestrians who died last year, 29 were aged 60 and above. Of these, 24 died because they were jaywalking.

When asked by a newspaper why they did jaywalked despite the risks, some cited convenience while others said their legs hurt and they wanted to use the shortest route possible. But the worrying part was that most of them said nothing would happen to them if they were careful.

Source: The Straits Times Saturday, March 19 2011