INTRODUCTION

2009 saw a significant improvement in the overall road traffic situation in Singapore. Both the fatality and fatal accident rate had improved against the backdrop of an increase in both human and vehicle population in Singapore during that period.

In 2009, the total human population in Singapore increased by 3.1%, from 4,839,400 in 2008 to 4,987,600 in 2009. In the same period, the vehicle population in Singapore also increased by 4.1%; from 874,969 in 2008 to 910,546. In spite of this, the fatality rate per 100,000 human population has improved significantly by 17.5% from 4.57 in 2008 to 3.77 in 2009 (Chart 1 refers). This is comparable to other major cities such as New York and Melbourne.

In a similar vein, the number of fatal accidents per 10,000 vehicles also dropped to 1.94, from 2.42 in 2008. (Chart 2 refers).

Compared to 2008, the number of people who died on Singapore roads in 2009 decreased by 15%, from 221 fatalities in 2008 to 188 fatalities in 2009.What is particularly significant is the fact that vulnerable groups of road users such as motorcyclists and pedestrians also saw a reduction in the number of fatalities. Although there were more motorcycles on Singapore roads in 2009, the number of motorcyclists and pillion riders who died in road traffic accidents decreased by nearly 16%, from 108 in 2008 to 91 in 2009. Pedestrian fatalities also decreased by nearly 26%, from 62 in 2008 to 46 in 2009. Table 1 shows the detailed breakdown of road user fatalities.

TABLE 1: NUMBER OF FATALITIES BY ROAD USER GROUPS

* Figures in parenthesis denote fatalities as a percentage of total fatalities across all road user groups.

These statistics reflect that the Traffic Police’s 3-pronged strategy of enforcement, engagement and education has been effective in improving the overall road safety in Singapore. Nonetheless, Traffic Police will continue to take strict enforcement against traffic violators and educate the public to embrace a road safety mindset.

KEY AREAS OF CONCERN

Although the overall traffic situation has improved over the year, Traffic Police would like to highlight two focal areas:

1. Motorcyclists and pillion riders remain the most vulnerable group of road users; and



2. Elderly pedestrians account for almost half of pedestrian deaths.

Motorcyclists & Pillion Riders Remain the Most Vulnerable Group of Road Users

Making up 91 (or 48.4%) of the 188 fatalities in 2009, motorcyclists and their pillion riders remain the most vulnerable group of road users. The top three causes of motorcycle accidents are namely due to:

• Failure to have proper control,
• Failure to keep a proper look out
• Failure to give way to traffic with right of way

Recognising that motorcyclists are the most vulnerable group of road users, Traffic Police had conducted several educational programmes in 2009 targeted at motorcyclists to raise their awareness and promote safe riding.

“Ride Safe 2009” Campaign

The “Ride Safe 2009” campaign tailored for motorcyclists was conducted in October 2009. This campaign helped promote safe riding among motorcyclists by getting them to understand and overcome their vulnerabilities; and reminding them to refrain from speeding and ‘drink-riding’. To help organisations and companies build a culture of safe riding, riding ambassadors were also appointed to champion road safety within their organisations.

Revised Training Curriculum for Motorcyclists

Traffic Police also revised the existing training curriculum of schools and implemented three new theoretical lessons on riding in 2009 to enhance the knowledge of learner riders of their vehicles and to encourage defensive riding on the road. As part of these lessons, instructors also imparted practical defensive riding tips with the aid of scenario-based videos.

Promoting Safe Riding via New Media Tools

Leveraging on the power and reach of new media in reaching out to motorcyclists, Traffic Police collaborated with RazorTV to feature video clips that provided tips on Defensive Riding skills. In addition, episode 7 of Crime Watch in 2009 was used to feature a real-life account of a motorcycle accident victim. Commercials on safe riding targeted at motorcyclists were also screened over Mediacorp channels and the LED screen at Woodlands Checkpoint.

Elderly Pedestrians Make Up Almost Half of Pedestrian Deaths

In 2009, elderly pedestrians (those above 60 years old) accounted for 43.5% (or 20) of the 46 pedestrian fatalities. Of the 20 fatalities involving elderly pedestrians, 13 of them were killed as a result of jaywalking.

Spreading the Road Safety Message to the Elderly through Song and Entertainment

In 2009, Traffic Police launched a Road Safety Programme specially tailored for elderly pedestrians during the Elias Community Centre’s Lunar New Year celebration. Educational materials such as bright handy bags and tissue packs carrying the message “Take it slow and easy. Be seen, be safe” were distributed to participants during the event. Lamp-post banners and posters carrying the same message were also displayed prominently islandwide, particularly in estates with a high percentage of elderly persons.

Understanding the elderly’s love for song and entertainment, a new road safety video titled 'Be Seen, Be Safe' which carried songs in different languages and dialects infused with safety tips, was also launched and distributed to the various homes and shelters for senior citizens, Community Centres and Residents’ Committee Centres.

While motorists should always look out for pedestrians, in particular elderly pedestrians, senior citizens must also play their part by refraining from jaywalking and crossing the roads safely.

PLANS FOR 2010

Further Efforts to Promote Safe Riding amongst Motorcyclists

As part of continuing efforts to remind motorcyclists to practise safe riding, Traffic Police will be installing banners with road safety messages at car park exits or boom gates of electronic parking gantries. Such efforts will focus on areas with a high density of motorcycles.

Traffic Police will be tapping on the research expertise under the ambit of the Singapore Road Safety Council to do a study on how motorcyclists’ attire affect their visibility on the roads. The results of the study will enable Traffic Police to explore other avenues to enhance the safety of motorcyclists and mitigate their risks whilst they are on the roads. In addition, Traffic Police will also be working with the driving schools to explore ideas on how to better equip motorcyclists with safe driving skills.

Enhancing Road Safety Awareness among Elderly

To further enhance road safety awareness among the elderly, the Annual Shell Traffic Games this year will be tweaked to incorporate a new traffic role-play game to include this vulnerable group. In this game, the elderly will play the role of pedestrians, while school children will take on either the role of fellow pedestrians or assume the role of motorists. The objective of the game is to reinforce the road safety habits in both the young and old in a fun way.

On the education front, Traffic Police has been working closely with strategic partners such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Shell, SOXAL and the entertainment outlets as well as the community to promote road safety awareness and influence road user behaviour through various public education outreach programmes. About 1,000 talks, exhibitions and outreach sessions were conducted last year, and such talks will continue to be conducted in 2010. Traffic Police is also exploring the introduction of a Road Safety Bus that will serve as a mobile exhibition platform to better reach out to all road users.

Annual campaigns such as the Road Safety Outreach, Road Courtesy Campaign, Annual Shell Traffic Games and the Anti Drink Driving (ADD) campaign will continue to be platforms to reinforce the importance of road safety to all road users. TP will also continue to conduct both general and targeted programmes for road users in 2010.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Commander of Traffic Police, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Christopher Ng said, “We expect the number of people and vehicles in Singapore to continue to rise in future. This will inevitably make our roads and streets busier. Motorists are encouraged to play their part by looking out for vulnerable groups such motorcyclists and pedestrians. A disaster on the roads can be averted by being just a little more alert and patient. It is important that all road users behave responsibly to ensure that everyone – motorists and pedestrians alike – have a safe passage on the streets.”