They say conversion of traffic lane to bus lane has led to more crashes
By
Maria Almenoar
Residents say that during the morning peak period, traffic sometimes comes to a standstill on the three-lane Upper Thomson Road heading towards Sin Ming Avenue. And accidents have happened when drivers turning into or out of Jalan Angklong cross the yellow box and hit vehicles which use the bus lane as a way to avoid the jam. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
RESIDENTS of Jalan Angklong have banded together in an effort to get help after several car crashes outside their homes.
Jalan Angklong, which runs perpendicular to Upper Thomson Road, has seen six crashes in the past four months.
The residents say the conversion of one traffic lane to a bus lane in October last year is the crux of the matter.
They say that during the morning peak period, traffic sometimes comes to a standstill on the three-lane Upper Thomson Road heading towards Sin Ming Avenue.
And accidents have happened when drivers turning into or out of Jalan Angklong cross the yellow box and hit vehicles which use the bus lane as a way to avoid the jam.
The residents, saying that drivers are not always able to see these motorists dodging the queue, want a traffic light to be installed or the bus lane to be removed.
Mr Kwok Fook Thin, 62, has even taken it upon himself to note down the details of any crash that occurs outside his home.
Mr Kwok, who has lived in Jalan Angklong for the past five years, said: 'I live the nearest (to the junction), so when I hear the screeching of brakes or a bang, I run out and take down the vehicle numbers and note down what happened.'
He has written several letters to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) listing the vehicle numbers and the extent of the damage.
In response to inquiries by The Straits Times, the LTA said it conducted a 'site review' earlier this year after receiving feedback from residents.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
