Holistic study to inform Singapore’s path towards vision for zero road fatalities

Question:

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs given that road fatalities have risen for five consecutive years to a 10 - year high despite successive enforcement measures, whether the Traffic Police has commissioned or i ntends to commission a holistic structural study, including road engineering and infrastructure design factors, to inform Singapore’s path towards the Vision Zero target of zero road fatalities.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Government adopts a holistic approach to road safety. Besides enforcement, the Traffic Police (TP) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) work together on road infrastructure, regulations and penalties, and public education.

2. On road infrastructure and design, TP and LTA take into account community feedback to implement traffic calming measures, in particular at violation-and accident-prone locations. LTA will also be expanding Friendly Streets to all towns by 2030, which wil l entail roads with reduced speed limits and road markings to assist vehicle drivers to be more careful.

3. Vision Zero is an example of successful intervention in road safety in Finland. The Government also approaches road safety on the basis that every fatality is one too many. We will draw reference from the example in Finland, as well as others, in reducing road accidents. However, road accidents are often caused when drivers engage in risky behaviour (for example drink driving or speeding and other such behaviour). This happens despite the penalties, and despite the public education that is going on.