In recent weeks a spate of fatal road accidents, some involving school children at pedestrian crossings, has stirred the nation's conscience and drawn attention to the urgent need to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone.
Apart from deaths from illnesses, one of the biggest threats to one's life in highly motorised Singapore is to be killed in a traffic accident.
Are most accidents preventable？ Certainly yes, if all road users, be they motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, taxi drivers, heavy vehicle drivers and pedestrians, diligently practise road safety rules that are designed for their protection.
In reality, however, these rules are honoured more by their breach than compliance. So a vehicle in irresponsible hands can be a most lethal weapon.
Take the average Singaporean driver as an example. A usually rational person can be transformed suddenly into a demon behind a driving wheel. Once his impatience and selfishness gets the better of him, he becomes recklessly indifferent to the traffic rules and safety of others just to get his own way.
Our taxi and heavy vehicle drivers also drive like maniacs on the roads, while our motorcyclists and cyclists, seemingly unaware of their particular vulnerability, habitually weave in and out of traffic dangerously, whenever it suits them.
The pedestrian, too, knowingly jaywalks in the face of fast-moving traffic. Tragically, many paid with their precious lives in vain.
Why are these inconsiderate road behaviours so common in Singapore, when its citizens are regularly held up by others as law-abiding？ Do they not realise their foolhardiness and that they are tarnishing the Republic's image？
First and foremost, road safety consciousness is generally not firmly ingrained in Singaporeans. Many would flout the laws if they think they can do so with impunity. They often succeed because policemen cannot be everywhere.
Unlike in Japan and the more advanced Western countries, there is a marked absence of strong peer pressure here to deter these anti-social behaviours.
One of the worst character traits of Singaporeans is that a traffic violator would often react aggressively if he is told of his misdoings, and, not infrequently, injuries or deaths had resulted in consequence of road rages.
It is, therefore, not surprising that uncivilised road conducts are pervasive as most aggrieved parties would rather tolerate these culprits than asserting their rights with unpredictable consequences.
Many concerned Singaporeans have repeatedly urged that remedial actions be taken to improve the traffic situation. Some of their useful suggestions have been actively debated in newspaper columns but forgotten after a while.
In my view, Government and the public must intensify their efforts to tackle this pressing problem as a joint national undertaking in order to prevent more mayhem on our roads.
The following proposals are put forth in the hope that they would generate more public discussion：
Firstly, a comprehensive review of our traffic and related laws be carried out to ensure that they keep abreast with changing circumstances. Where appropriate, substantially heavier fines and enhanced punishments be inflicted on those who commit serious offences.
It is true but lamentable that Singaporeans generally respond well to stricter application of the laws. The courts' success in dealing with road rage cases comes to mind.
Secondly, illegal parking and traffic obstruction occur daily all over Singapore, particularly near schools, markets, religious institutions, food centres, in housing estates and even on busy roads, often leading to traffic chaos, frayed tempers and even accidents with injuries or deaths.
It's time we stopped these irresponsible acts, especially when parking lots are readily available in the vicinity.
Thirdly, a road safety culture must be nurtured and take roots here. An imaginative road safety campaign, with sustained support of employers, employees, trade unions, media and others, be held at regular intervals with effective follow-up actions aimed at the whole community.
If Singaporeans can repeat the admirable team spirit during the SARS outbreak, our roads definitely will be safer.
Lastly, our schools and parents can and should play a pivotal role in transmitting road safety and civic consciousness as a way of life to the young under their charge. Their influence in this regard cannot be over emphasised.
To use a time-honoured cliche, let's together make road safety the responsibility of everyone in Singapore！
過去幾個星期,發(fā)生了多起致命公路意外,不幸身亡的包括在人行道上過馬路的學(xué)生。國人對此深切關(guān)注,也希望情況盡快改善,保護(hù)公路使用者的安全。
除了患病身亡,新加坡交通繁忙,在公路意外中喪命是對我們生命的一大威脅。
是不是大多數(shù)的公路意外都是可以避免的？答案是肯定的。不過,所有公路使用者,包括駕車者、電單車和腳踏車騎士、德士司機(jī)、及駕駛重型車輛者等,都必須遵守為了保護(hù)他們而制定的公路安全條例。
事實是,人們往往對這些條例視若無睹。在一個不負(fù)責(zé)任的人手中,一輛車可以變成一件殺人兇器。
新加坡的駕車者一般上是相當(dāng)理智的。不過,在失去耐心和自私心里作祟下,一些司機(jī)可能突然完全失控而變得魯莽,只顧自己的方便,無視交通規(guī)則和他人的安全。
在公路上橫沖直撞的德士司機(jī)和重型車輛駕駛者也不乏其人,卻偏偏有一些電單車和腳踏車騎士,似乎不在乎他們比其他駕車者更容易受傷,習(xí)慣性地在繁忙的交通里危險地穿梭。
一些行人也明知故犯地亂穿越馬路,最終不幸成為輪下亡魂。
新加坡人時常被外人視為奉公守法的好榜樣,那為什么還會有這么多人違反交通條例？他們難道不知道自己的行為不但愚蠢,也會損害新加坡的形象？
一個基本的問題是,國人并沒有根深蒂固的公路安全意識。只要有機(jī)可乘,他們便不把條例當(dāng)一回事。因為交警不可能無所不在,他們往往成功地避免受到懲罰。
我們的情況和日本及西方先進(jìn)國家不同,我們?nèi)狈τ行У娜后w壓力,阻嚇人們做出反社會行為。在新加坡,違法的駕車者,如果受到旁觀者的批評,通常會惱羞成怒,有時候更因此演變成涉及人命傷亡的路霸事件,暴露國人丑陋的一面。
因為害怕?lián)砹幙赡軙蓄A(yù)料不到的后果,許多在公路糾紛中受委屈的人寧可采取姑息的態(tài)度,難怪公路上違例的行為越來越普遍。
關(guān)注這種情形的國人再三表示,應(yīng)該采取改善措施?？上У氖?他們一些可取的建議,在報章上積極談?wù)摵蟊銢]有下文。
我認(rèn)為,政府和公眾應(yīng)該合力解決這個迫切的問題,防止更多公路意外事故。
以下是我的一些建議,希望能起拋磚引玉的作用。
第一、全面檢討我們的交通和有關(guān)的法律,確保它們不會和實際情況脫節(jié)。在適當(dāng)?shù)那闆r下,應(yīng)該加重觸犯嚴(yán)重罪行者的罰款和刑罰。
嚴(yán)刑峻法一般上對新加坡人非常有效,這雖然令人感到泄氣,卻是事實。法庭通過嚴(yán)懲,成功減少了路霸事件,就是一個很好的例子。
第二、非法停車和阻礙交通的情況到處可見,尤其是靠近學(xué)校、巴剎、廟宇和教堂、熟食中心和組屋區(qū)的道路,其中包括交通繁忙的路段。結(jié)果是造成交通混亂,人們惡言相向,有時還會導(dǎo)致交通意外和人命傷亡。
我們應(yīng)該制止這些不負(fù)責(zé)任的行為,因為有些時候,停車場就在不遠(yuǎn)的地方。
第三、我們必須培養(yǎng)公路安全意識,讓這個觀念在社會扎根。我們也可以爭取雇主、雇員、工會、媒體和其他機(jī)構(gòu)的支持,定期舉辦別開生面的公路安全運(yùn)動,并進(jìn)一步把活動推廣到整個社區(qū)。
如果國人能夠重現(xiàn)沙斯肆虐期間的團(tuán)結(jié)精神,我們的公路肯定會變得更安全。
學(xué)校和家長的角色也舉足輕重。他們應(yīng)該向孩童灌輸公路安全和公民意識,讓他們習(xí)以為常。
最后,我們應(yīng)該提醒自己,“公路安全,人人有責(zé)”。這雖然是老生常談,卻有它的積極意義。
Apart from deaths from illnesses, one of the biggest threats to one's life in highly motorised Singapore is to be killed in a traffic accident.
Are most accidents preventable？ Certainly yes, if all road users, be they motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, taxi drivers, heavy vehicle drivers and pedestrians, diligently practise road safety rules that are designed for their protection.
In reality, however, these rules are honoured more by their breach than compliance. So a vehicle in irresponsible hands can be a most lethal weapon.
Take the average Singaporean driver as an example. A usually rational person can be transformed suddenly into a demon behind a driving wheel. Once his impatience and selfishness gets the better of him, he becomes recklessly indifferent to the traffic rules and safety of others just to get his own way.
Our taxi and heavy vehicle drivers also drive like maniacs on the roads, while our motorcyclists and cyclists, seemingly unaware of their particular vulnerability, habitually weave in and out of traffic dangerously, whenever it suits them.
The pedestrian, too, knowingly jaywalks in the face of fast-moving traffic. Tragically, many paid with their precious lives in vain.
Why are these inconsiderate road behaviours so common in Singapore, when its citizens are regularly held up by others as law-abiding？ Do they not realise their foolhardiness and that they are tarnishing the Republic's image？
First and foremost, road safety consciousness is generally not firmly ingrained in Singaporeans. Many would flout the laws if they think they can do so with impunity. They often succeed because policemen cannot be everywhere.
Unlike in Japan and the more advanced Western countries, there is a marked absence of strong peer pressure here to deter these anti-social behaviours.
One of the worst character traits of Singaporeans is that a traffic violator would often react aggressively if he is told of his misdoings, and, not infrequently, injuries or deaths had resulted in consequence of road rages.
It is, therefore, not surprising that uncivilised road conducts are pervasive as most aggrieved parties would rather tolerate these culprits than asserting their rights with unpredictable consequences.
Many concerned Singaporeans have repeatedly urged that remedial actions be taken to improve the traffic situation. Some of their useful suggestions have been actively debated in newspaper columns but forgotten after a while.
In my view, Government and the public must intensify their efforts to tackle this pressing problem as a joint national undertaking in order to prevent more mayhem on our roads.
The following proposals are put forth in the hope that they would generate more public discussion：
Firstly, a comprehensive review of our traffic and related laws be carried out to ensure that they keep abreast with changing circumstances. Where appropriate, substantially heavier fines and enhanced punishments be inflicted on those who commit serious offences.
It is true but lamentable that Singaporeans generally respond well to stricter application of the laws. The courts' success in dealing with road rage cases comes to mind.
Secondly, illegal parking and traffic obstruction occur daily all over Singapore, particularly near schools, markets, religious institutions, food centres, in housing estates and even on busy roads, often leading to traffic chaos, frayed tempers and even accidents with injuries or deaths.
It's time we stopped these irresponsible acts, especially when parking lots are readily available in the vicinity.
Thirdly, a road safety culture must be nurtured and take roots here. An imaginative road safety campaign, with sustained support of employers, employees, trade unions, media and others, be held at regular intervals with effective follow-up actions aimed at the whole community.
If Singaporeans can repeat the admirable team spirit during the SARS outbreak, our roads definitely will be safer.
Lastly, our schools and parents can and should play a pivotal role in transmitting road safety and civic consciousness as a way of life to the young under their charge. Their influence in this regard cannot be over emphasised.
To use a time-honoured cliche, let's together make road safety the responsibility of everyone in Singapore！
過去幾個星期,發(fā)生了多起致命公路意外,不幸身亡的包括在人行道上過馬路的學(xué)生。國人對此深切關(guān)注,也希望情況盡快改善,保護(hù)公路使用者的安全。
除了患病身亡,新加坡交通繁忙,在公路意外中喪命是對我們生命的一大威脅。
是不是大多數(shù)的公路意外都是可以避免的？答案是肯定的。不過,所有公路使用者,包括駕車者、電單車和腳踏車騎士、德士司機(jī)、及駕駛重型車輛者等,都必須遵守為了保護(hù)他們而制定的公路安全條例。
事實是,人們往往對這些條例視若無睹。在一個不負(fù)責(zé)任的人手中,一輛車可以變成一件殺人兇器。
新加坡的駕車者一般上是相當(dāng)理智的。不過,在失去耐心和自私心里作祟下,一些司機(jī)可能突然完全失控而變得魯莽,只顧自己的方便,無視交通規(guī)則和他人的安全。
在公路上橫沖直撞的德士司機(jī)和重型車輛駕駛者也不乏其人,卻偏偏有一些電單車和腳踏車騎士,似乎不在乎他們比其他駕車者更容易受傷,習(xí)慣性地在繁忙的交通里危險地穿梭。
一些行人也明知故犯地亂穿越馬路,最終不幸成為輪下亡魂。
新加坡人時常被外人視為奉公守法的好榜樣,那為什么還會有這么多人違反交通條例？他們難道不知道自己的行為不但愚蠢,也會損害新加坡的形象？
一個基本的問題是,國人并沒有根深蒂固的公路安全意識。只要有機(jī)可乘,他們便不把條例當(dāng)一回事。因為交警不可能無所不在,他們往往成功地避免受到懲罰。
我們的情況和日本及西方先進(jìn)國家不同,我們?nèi)狈τ行У娜后w壓力,阻嚇人們做出反社會行為。在新加坡,違法的駕車者,如果受到旁觀者的批評,通常會惱羞成怒,有時候更因此演變成涉及人命傷亡的路霸事件,暴露國人丑陋的一面。
因為害怕?lián)砹幙赡軙蓄A(yù)料不到的后果,許多在公路糾紛中受委屈的人寧可采取姑息的態(tài)度,難怪公路上違例的行為越來越普遍。
關(guān)注這種情形的國人再三表示,應(yīng)該采取改善措施?？上У氖?他們一些可取的建議,在報章上積極談?wù)摵蟊銢]有下文。
我認(rèn)為,政府和公眾應(yīng)該合力解決這個迫切的問題,防止更多公路意外事故。
以下是我的一些建議,希望能起拋磚引玉的作用。
第一、全面檢討我們的交通和有關(guān)的法律,確保它們不會和實際情況脫節(jié)。在適當(dāng)?shù)那闆r下,應(yīng)該加重觸犯嚴(yán)重罪行者的罰款和刑罰。
嚴(yán)刑峻法一般上對新加坡人非常有效,這雖然令人感到泄氣,卻是事實。法庭通過嚴(yán)懲,成功減少了路霸事件,就是一個很好的例子。
第二、非法停車和阻礙交通的情況到處可見,尤其是靠近學(xué)校、巴剎、廟宇和教堂、熟食中心和組屋區(qū)的道路,其中包括交通繁忙的路段。結(jié)果是造成交通混亂,人們惡言相向,有時還會導(dǎo)致交通意外和人命傷亡。
我們應(yīng)該制止這些不負(fù)責(zé)任的行為,因為有些時候,停車場就在不遠(yuǎn)的地方。
第三、我們必須培養(yǎng)公路安全意識,讓這個觀念在社會扎根。我們也可以爭取雇主、雇員、工會、媒體和其他機(jī)構(gòu)的支持,定期舉辦別開生面的公路安全運(yùn)動,并進(jìn)一步把活動推廣到整個社區(qū)。
如果國人能夠重現(xiàn)沙斯肆虐期間的團(tuán)結(jié)精神,我們的公路肯定會變得更安全。
學(xué)校和家長的角色也舉足輕重。他們應(yīng)該向孩童灌輸公路安全和公民意識,讓他們習(xí)以為常。
最后,我們應(yīng)該提醒自己,“公路安全,人人有責(zé)”。這雖然是老生常談,卻有它的積極意義。