Commentary: What can be done to change bad driving habits in Singapore?

In the post-epidemic era, some drivers do not seem to have abandoned this bad behavior. The Singapore Police Force said on April 29 Exceed 800 Speeding Identify violations The speed measurement function of the red light camera has only been in operation for three weeks.

Now is the time to take firm steps to stop this bad driving behavior before it becomes ingrained in some drivers.

Lower speed limits

Singapore may consider reducing the speed limit in built-up areas such as the Central Business District and Housing Board (HDB) town centres from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, in line with other cities such as Tokyo, London, Sydney and Toronto.

Human activities in these places may lead to traffic accidents. On long-distance roads with few pedestrians and bicycles, such as highways, it is reasonable to maintain the existing speed limit to ease traffic pressure.

Lowering speed limits in urban areas will reduce the number of fatalities. The higher the speed at which a collision occurs, the greater the damage or injury caused.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car at 30 kilometers per hour, the probability of death is 10%. At 40 kilometers per hour, the probability of death is 35%. At 50 kilometers per hour, the probability of death is 55%.

Singaporean drivers tend to view speed limits as a guarantee that they can always drive at that speed. But the speed limit is what the authorities consider to be the maximum safe speed on the road.

Singapore has already allocated areas with high pedestrian traffic (such as school areas and Silver District.