The prime cause is speeding, as was the case in the three fatal accidents recently, including the minibus crash in which schoolboy Russell Koh died ('Daddy, come quick. I am bleeding badly. My friend, he flew out', April 26).

I appeal to the Traffic Police to deploy more officers on roads and highways. There is a severe lack of Traffic Police patrols on roads these days and this, in part, causes recklessness among drivers. Also, Singapore seems to be the only major city, at least in Asia, not to have regular Traffic Police patrols during peak hours. Every other major city in Asia has traffic police manning busy roads to ease congestion and prevent serious accidents by road users who flout traffic rules.

Take a drive in the morning or evening in or out of the Central Business District and it is likely you will not see a single officer on patrol. Is there a reason for this?

To take one example, drivers and delivery vehicles who stop at the side of busy roads to pick up or drop off cause disruption to an entire lane and slow traffic to a snail's pace - but enforcement officers are almost never around. Take a drive during peak hours - or any time of day, for that matter - along Robinson Road, Cross Street, Eu Tong Sen Street, North Bridge Road or Raffles Boulevard and the evidence is clear.

In addition, the number of vehicles speeding way over 90kmh along residential roads, especially East Coast Road, Farrer Road, Commonwealth Avenue West and Dunearn Road, suggests these drivers know it is unlikely police will be around - and they have every reason to feel confident.

I understand there is an issue of resource allocation, but I'm sure the Traffic Police can afford more officers on the roads, up from current dismal levels. I understand the onus lies with road users as well, but enforcement officers share an equal responsibility to take proactive measures to ensure innocent lives are not lost due to irresponsible behaviour.

Joseph Sagaram