In the writer's opinion, the root cause of the rise in the number of traffic accidents in Singapore is the presence of too many vehicles on our roads. I find his assertion too simplistic and does not take into account other factors.

If the authorities drastically reduce the vehicular population through legislation, the incidence of road mishaps will probably go down. The law of averages dictates this. However, is it practical to take such a step?

There are other root causes which are to blame. These include Singapore's pressured work environment. Motorists speed to arrive at the office or to appointments on time. They may also be preoccupied with other tasks such as talking on their mobile phones (a potentially hazardous activity, even with the use of a hands-free kit) or with work-related matters occupying their minds.

Impatience, a characteristic of people living in a fast-paced society, also causes drivers to speed and take risks.

An impatient motorist gets angry easily and is more likely to be involved in road bullying and other types of menacing behaviour.

The increase in the number of taxi operators and cabs has heightened competition for passengers.

It is common to see cabbies speeding, changing lanes indiscriminately and making sudden stops to pick up as many passengers as possible. High rentals cause cabbies to put in longer hours on the road, causing them to be impatient and reckless.

More stressed-out workers are also relieving tension in bars and pubs, causing a noticeable rise in drink-driving offences.

Cheaper Certificates of Entitlement are also encouraging new and younger drivers (including first-time buyers) to acquire cars. All of them share one common denominator - they do not have much driving experience.

The rise in the vehicle population in recent years has put more inexperienced, impatient, reckless, frustrated, drunk or, perhaps, even deranged drivers on our roads.

However, to claim that the presence of too many vehicles is the root cause of the rise in accidents is no different from saying that the removal of all vehicles from our roads will result in no such accidents thereafter.

While it may be true, it is also true that we will never die in an air crash if we never board an aeroplane.

Edmund Khoo Kim Hock