Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Improvements to Road Safety Measures as the Population Continues to Age, by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development

Question:

Ms Ng Ling Ling: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs given that 15 out of 18 pedestrian fatalities in 2020 involve seniors aged 60 and above and with half of the cases due to jaywalking, what else will the Ministry consider doing to improve road safety measures as the population continues to age.

Answer:

1.    The Traffic Police (TP) puts in significant effort to try to bring down the number of accidents involving elderly pedestrians. TP partners Senior Activity Centres and Lion Befrienders to educate the elderly on road safety. It launched the Eye Care Kit in February 2021, which allows elderly pedestrians to make a self-assessment on their eye health, and encourages them to seek early intervention to address any issues.

2.    As mentioned in MHA’s Committee of Supply debate, MHA will be enhancing enforcement against irresponsible motorists in Silver Zones. Motorists who commit offences at Silver Zones, such as speeding or using mobile communicative devices while driving, will incur two additional demerit points on top of the usual demerit points for the offence. They will also be liable for an additional $100 in composition fine. The aim is to encourage motorists to exercise greater caution when in areas frequented by elderly pedestrians. Further details will be announced later this year.