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THE verdict from most expats: Yes, Singaporeans are bad drivers, reciting a litany of sins from reluctance to give way, refusal to signal to being downright rude.
And many Singaporeans concur, admitting their countrymen do not always make the most congenial road users - although they see themselves as doing just fine.
Skills, it seems, are not the main problem. 'It comes down to attitude,' said Mr Champak Mehta, 36, a sales manager for an international firm who has been here for nine months. 'If they're not so much in a hurry and are more considerate, that would be a massive help.'
Not many would disagree, going by a Sunday Times poll of 100 motorists, mostly Singaporeans. As many as 80 agreed that common behaviour such as tailgating, road hogging and failing to signal made local drivers none too charming. But fewer than half pointed the finger at themselves.
Other common complaints: cutting queues, unnecessary use of the horn and slowing down to gawk at accident scenes.
Interviews with 10 expats had similar findings, with eight finding fault with local road manners.
Irishman Noel Hawkes recalls the time he was almost bumped off the road by a speeding driver on the Pan-Island Expressway.
When he flashed his lights, the driver swerved in front and gestured for Mr Hawkes to pull over and settle the matter.
'Having seen the look on his face and the tattoos on his arm, I decided self-preservation was a more prudent option,' recalled the 54-year-old general manager of Hotel Phoenix.
Road rage, by the way, figured among the top 10 most annoying habits.
From 2004 to 2006, the Traffic Police nabbed 12,383 motorists for careless and inconsiderate driving and 287 for dangerous driving. 'We see room for improvement,' said a police spokesman.
That is surely true given that 190 people were killed on local roads last year, up from 173 in 2005. However, the road fatality rate of 4.2 per 100,000 people here is still one of the lowest among developed countries.
Accident-related motor insurance claims also rose last year, from 121,441 in 2005 to 129,437, said the General Insurance Association.
Blame it on impatience, selfishness and the all-too-familiar trait of being kiasu, those surveyed said.
Briton Navzar Taraporvala, 59, who has been driving in Singapore for 10 years, feels something should be done to change road behaviour.
'Singaporeans behave only when there are cameras around,' said the lecturer.
'The speed at which traffic moves here is relatively slow, so not much goes wrong. If it were higher, a lot would go wrong.'
Another expat bugbear: Singaporeans do not check their mirrors enough.
Mr Ray Bigger, 58, managing director of Think8, a training and consulting firm, came here from London seven years ago.
'In the UK, we have a saying: 'mirror, signal and manoeuvre'. People here don't look in mirrors, don't signal...'
Singaporeans' limited mileage chalked up around the city and lack of experience on different types of roads also make them one-dimensional drivers.
And guess what? Being kiasu does not get them very far either.
Dutch language teacher Matthieu Quere, 47, said: 'It's proven in the Netherlands that if you give way to one other person, you will get to your destination much faster. We call it 'zipping' because it's like the two sides of a zip.'
So how should Singapore steer towards being a First World nation of drivers?
Stricter enforcement, stronger education and greater positive reinforcement were some suggestions, as well as this novel idea: Restrict the car size - say no more than a 1,600cc - new motorists can drive.
As Mr Bigger put it: 'You would not be happy if a new pilot were allowed to fly a 747 jumbo jet.'
But driving instructor Daniel Ng, 49, cites the 'old habits die hard' adage.
'Living standards here are high, time is very important, everybody is stressed out. How to change?'
dawntan@sph.com.sg
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY BRIAN HIGGS, MAVIS TOH & DAVID LEE
Post your comments online at www.straitstimes.com
Are we really a nation of dodgy drivers? E-mail us at 75557@stomp.com.sg or SMS to 75557.
'Singapore drivers are 'among the worst in the world with regard to spatial awareness, ability to control their vehicle adequately, and courtesy to others'.
NEW ZEALANDER CHAMPAK MEHTA, in a letter to The Sunday Times published last week
Bad driving habit No. 1
FAILING TO SIGNAL
'What is this resistance? It takes only one finger to signal.'
MR NAVZAR TARAPORVALA, 59, a lecturer from the United Kingdom who has been driving in Singapore for 10 years
Bad driving habit No. 2
ROAD HOGGING
'We take our own turf very seriously and we don't give way even in congested traffic.'
MR DENNIS LEE, 44, manager
Bad driving habit No. 3
TAILGATING
'Perhaps Singaporeans live a hectic lifestyle and expect everything to be fast and efficient, which results in a generally selfish, rude, kiasu and will-never-give-way attitude on the roads.'
IRISH NOEL HAWKES, 54, general manager of Hotel Phoenix
Bad driving Habit No. 4
NOT GIVING WAY
'They tend to forget the good habits once they have got their licence.'
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR MICHAEL NG, 55
Bad driving habit No. 5
QUEUE CUTTING
'The roads are organised but the people are ungracious. Kiasu as always.'
BANK EXECUTIVE THOMAS PENG, 32
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