Singapore Traffic Games 2024 – Speech by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development

Mr Bernard Tay, Chairman, Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC),

DAC Lionel Bok, Covering Commander, Traffic Police,

Distinguished Sponsors and Partners,

Principals, Teachers and Pupils,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. A very good morning! It is truly a pleasure to be here today at the Singapore Traffic Games. These games have been a key part of our road safety education efforts since 1958 — well before Singapore gained independence. Over the years, the Traffic Games have helped instill important road safety habits in young children, preparing them to be responsible and safe road users as they grow up.

The Traffic Games – A Part of Growing Up in Singapore

2. The concept is simple but effective. Children learn about traffic laws through playing the roles of pedestrians, cyclists, and go-kart drivers. This engaging, hands-on approach makes learning road safety fun, memorable and effective. For over six decades, the Traffic Games have been a cherished rite of passage for generations of Singaporeans. Many adults today, maybe even your parents, your grandparents, as well as your teachers, look back fondly on their time at the Traffic Games when they were your age. So today when you go back, I want you to share your experience with your parents and your grandparents.

3. This year, more than 16,000 boys and girls from 122 primary schools and 15 kindergartens had visited the Road Safety Community Park to learn basic traffic rules, like how to cross the road properly. This important work helps develop good habits from a young age, keeping our children safe on the roads.

Role of Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers in Road Safety

4. Unfortunately, we have had some tragic accidents involving children this year. As a parent myself, I know how important it is to keep our children safe. That is why parents, grandparents, and caregivers all play a big role in teaching good road safety habits. Children learn a lot from watching the grown-ups around them. So, let’s be mindful always to set a good example. This means always wearing our seatbelts, using proper crossings, only crossing the road on green man, and putting our phones away when we are crossing the road. Let’s show our children that safety always comes first.

Road Safety – A Shared Responsibility

5. Over the years, TP has been working closely with the SRSC, Ministry of Education (MOE), the Land Transport Authority, and our valued partners to look for new and innovative ways to engage our children.

6. I would like to encourage all parents and schools to make full use of the 'Road Safety Challenge!' e-learning module, produced by TP specially for Primary 3 to Primary 6 pupils. The ‘Road Safety Challenge!’ is a fun game where students can learn important road safety lessons through animated stories and quizzes. You can find it on the MOE’s Student Learning Space and SPF website. So I want you, if possible, when you go home today, or this weekend, to ask your parents to explore this learning module with you at home. I want to urge the teachers to share this with parents as well. Parents, this is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your children and help develop these essential life skills through play. These skills are important, because many times, accidents happen within a second, and then you lose your loved ones. So, it is worth to invest this time, so that we don’t lose our loved ones to road accidents.

7. For our younger children aged 4 to 6 years old, we have something special too! Last year, the Traffic Police and the Singapore Road Safety Council published a storybook called 'Road Safety with Kay and Bear Bear.' It follows the adventures of Kay and Bear Bear as they learn about road safety. Parents and teachers, I encourage you to read this book together with your little ones. We have provided two books to each major preschool in Singapore, including MOE Kindergartens, PCF Sparkletots, and NTUC My First Skool. You can also borrow it from any public library or read it online on the Police or Singapore Road Safety Council websites. By reading stories like this together, we can help our children develop good road safety habits that will protect them throughout their lives. It is never too early to start learning about road safety.

8. Today, we will be launching a road safety video that shows a very serious situation that can happen when someone is not careful on the road. I encourage everyone to watch this video and share it with your families, friends and loved ones. It’s a powerful reminder of why we emphasise the importance of road safety. Always hold your parents’ or caregivers’ hand, use proper crossings, cross only on green man at a traffic light, and practice the drill kerb before crossing any road. Your safety is important.

Conclusion

9. Finally, I would like to congratulate all of you who took part in this year’s Singapore Traffic Games. Children, the road safety skills you learn today are as important as any subject you study in school. I think it’s more important, because it’s your life. Practice what you have learned whenever you are near a road. You are not just keeping yourself safe but helping to make the roads safer for everyone.

10. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all my colleagues from the Traffic Police, teachers, NPCC cadets, and volunteers from ITE College West for your unwavering support in advancing road safety education.

11. Finally, thank you to our sponsors who make the Singapore Traffic Games possible –Tote Board, Automobile Association of Singapore, SBS Transit Ltd, and our long-standing partners: MOE, LTA, National Parks Board, and our three driving schools – Bukit Batok Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, Singapore Safety Driving Centre. You have all been supportive, and your strong support has been crucial to the success of these games. Please join me to thank all our partners and sponsors.

12. With that, I wish everyone a safe and fulfilling year ahead. To all the children, enjoy your school holiday and most importantly, stay safe on the roads. Thank you!