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Dec 9, 2009
Let's act now to make roads safe
ON NOV 8, an elderly couple walking along a stretch of Upper Thomson Road on their way to church were knocked down by a car. The wife died instantly. The husband survived but sustained injuries.
On Dec 1, a five-year-old child was fatally hit by a car as she and her grandfather were crossing the two-lane Punggol Field Road.
In the first case, the couple were forced to walk on the road because residents in the area had parked their cars illegally and inconsiderately on the footpath, thus robbing the couple of their right to walk safely. In the second case, the pair were deliberately jaywalking instead of using the pedestrian crossing or overhead bridge nearby. In each of the incidents, one person paid dearly with her life.
The police need to ensure that car owners park their vehicles in such a manner that they do not endanger the lives of pedestrians, especially the elderly and the young who are most vulnerable.
Pedestrians must use the footpaths laid out for them and not court death by careless walking. The drivers and riders should take care and follow safe driving/riding rules.
Some pedestrians are quite careless in the way they cross roads. They cross half way and then stand on the road island for the lights to change. This is very dangerous, with traffic coming from both sides.
Others take the chance and cross the road in spite of heavy traffic.
Singapore roads are becoming more and more crowded. So all road users need to act responsibly now.
Murali Sharma
Let's act now to make roads safe
ON NOV 8, an elderly couple walking along a stretch of Upper Thomson Road on their way to church were knocked down by a car. The wife died instantly. The husband survived but sustained injuries.
On Dec 1, a five-year-old child was fatally hit by a car as she and her grandfather were crossing the two-lane Punggol Field Road.
In the first case, the couple were forced to walk on the road because residents in the area had parked their cars illegally and inconsiderately on the footpath, thus robbing the couple of their right to walk safely. In the second case, the pair were deliberately jaywalking instead of using the pedestrian crossing or overhead bridge nearby. In each of the incidents, one person paid dearly with her life.
The police need to ensure that car owners park their vehicles in such a manner that they do not endanger the lives of pedestrians, especially the elderly and the young who are most vulnerable.
Pedestrians must use the footpaths laid out for them and not court death by careless walking. The drivers and riders should take care and follow safe driving/riding rules.
Some pedestrians are quite careless in the way they cross roads. They cross half way and then stand on the road island for the lights to change. This is very dangerous, with traffic coming from both sides.
Others take the chance and cross the road in spite of heavy traffic.
Singapore roads are becoming more and more crowded. So all road users need to act responsibly now.
Murali Sharma
