http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/Drivers/Story/A1Story20090730-157973.html
Thu, Jul 30, 2009
my paper
Why I have never learnt to drive
By Victoria Barker
I HAVE recently developed a fear of crossing the road.
Yes, you heard me right.
And, no, it's not because I've had a close call with a speeding taxi over the past couple of weeks.
The reason for this sudden, if irrational, fear is the findings of a survey conducted by insurance company AXA last month.
According to the survey of 521 Singaporean car owners here - of which 415 were private- car owners and the rest, cabbies - our motorists are a truly reckless bunch.
Firstly, 75 per cent of those surveyed did not know the normal speed limit on most Singapore roads.
You would think that was a basic enough question, right?
The answer is 60kmh, by the way.
Unsurprisingly, more than half also admitted to engaging in at least one dangerous driving practice.
These practices included using a mobile phone or text messaging while on the road, tailgating and drink-driving.
But what left me dumbstruck was this: When asked what would deter them from doing so, the safety of others - personal safety aside - ranked very, very low.
In fact, not harming others came in a measly fifth, after the possibility of getting demerit points, being caught by a speed camera, stricter law enforcement and personal safety, in descending order of importance.
Cue raised eyebrow and a step or two backwards onto the kerb.
These findings lead me to wonder if Singaporean drivers have their priorities on the road completely mixed up.
I think they just might.
I do not drive and I've often been asked by colleagues, friends and family members alike why I've never learnt to do so.
I always answer with a question: What if I hurt someone?
Sure, I may come across as a little paranoid and it's not a good enough reason to be destined to our highly-efficient public-transport system (we can't all be scaredy-cats like me) for the rest of my life.
But, to me, the fear of hurting someone unintentionally far outweighs the thought of getting demerit points, or, worse, a (gasp!) fine.
It is not the fear of the law, or of getting caught that should be deemed most important.
To me, that is a selfish, "me-first" mentality.
Think about it.
Could that call on your mobile phone be more important than the life of an innocent pedestrian on his way to school or work?
That's not to say that us non-drivers are completely free from blame.
I'm sure you've seen your share of jaywalkers, aunties with a death wish and people who refuse to make use of the many overhead bridges.
Keeping our roads safe is a two-way street.
For now, though, thanks to the survey findings, I think I'll stick to good ol' public transport.
[email protected]
Thu, Jul 30, 2009
my paper
Why I have never learnt to drive
By Victoria Barker
I HAVE recently developed a fear of crossing the road.
Yes, you heard me right.
And, no, it's not because I've had a close call with a speeding taxi over the past couple of weeks.
The reason for this sudden, if irrational, fear is the findings of a survey conducted by insurance company AXA last month.
According to the survey of 521 Singaporean car owners here - of which 415 were private- car owners and the rest, cabbies - our motorists are a truly reckless bunch.
Firstly, 75 per cent of those surveyed did not know the normal speed limit on most Singapore roads.
You would think that was a basic enough question, right?
The answer is 60kmh, by the way.
Unsurprisingly, more than half also admitted to engaging in at least one dangerous driving practice.
These practices included using a mobile phone or text messaging while on the road, tailgating and drink-driving.
But what left me dumbstruck was this: When asked what would deter them from doing so, the safety of others - personal safety aside - ranked very, very low.
In fact, not harming others came in a measly fifth, after the possibility of getting demerit points, being caught by a speed camera, stricter law enforcement and personal safety, in descending order of importance.
Cue raised eyebrow and a step or two backwards onto the kerb.
These findings lead me to wonder if Singaporean drivers have their priorities on the road completely mixed up.
I think they just might.
I do not drive and I've often been asked by colleagues, friends and family members alike why I've never learnt to do so.
I always answer with a question: What if I hurt someone?
Sure, I may come across as a little paranoid and it's not a good enough reason to be destined to our highly-efficient public-transport system (we can't all be scaredy-cats like me) for the rest of my life.
But, to me, the fear of hurting someone unintentionally far outweighs the thought of getting demerit points, or, worse, a (gasp!) fine.
It is not the fear of the law, or of getting caught that should be deemed most important.
To me, that is a selfish, "me-first" mentality.
Think about it.
Could that call on your mobile phone be more important than the life of an innocent pedestrian on his way to school or work?
That's not to say that us non-drivers are completely free from blame.
I'm sure you've seen your share of jaywalkers, aunties with a death wish and people who refuse to make use of the many overhead bridges.
Keeping our roads safe is a two-way street.
For now, though, thanks to the survey findings, I think I'll stick to good ol' public transport.
[email protected]
