Question:
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the underlying reasons for the 60% increase in road traffic fatalities for the first half of 2023; and (b) what are the Ministry’s plans to reduce road traffic fatalities henceforth.
Answer:
Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:
1. In the first half of 2023, the number of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities increased by 58% to 71, from 45 in the first half of 2022.
2. The increase was partly due to higher road traffic volumes, with the lifting of pandemic-related safe management measures. In the first half of 2017 to 2019, the number of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities averaged 60. This decreased to an average of 49 in the same period of the COVID-19 years, 2020 to 2022.
3. Our priority remains the elderly and motorcyclists. They continue to account for a disproportionate number of fatalities. 37.2% of elderly pedestrian accidents occurred due to jaywalking, and the top causes for motorcycle-related accidents relate to failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to have proper control of the motorcycle, and changing lanes without due care.
4. The Traffic Police (TP) have stepped up education and engagement of the elderly and motorcyclists, such as the Road Safety Concert for Seniors in August this year, and the Reward the Rider initiative in July, which rewarded motorcyclists for safe riding habits. We have also been emphasising the importance of safe road crossing practices at community engagement platforms, such as TP’s regular elderly community engagements and the Singapore Road Safety Month every year. The Member may refer to our past replies to Parliamentary Questions and past Police News Releases for more information on TP’s initiatives to maintain road safety.
5. TP will also continue to enforce against road user groups of concern, such as those who speed, or drink and drive. It will also continue to leverage technology to help shape desirable road behaviour, including the use of enforcement cameras.
6. Road safety is a shared responsibility. TP’s efforts alone will not be enough. I urge all road users to play their part to keep the roads safe for all of us.
