Speed displays more effective than cameras

The use of speed displays along the road, rather than speed cameras, is far more effective in ensuring that motorists keep within the specified speed limit (Speed fiends beware - no escape from new cameras; Feb 16).

Unlike other new roads, which tend to reduce distances between destinations, the Tanah Merah Coast Road actually adds significant travelling distance and time as it is a permanent detour replacing a more direct route, which is being taken over for construction of the airport expansion.

This makes it natural for drivers familiar with the area to want to drive faster to make up for the additional distance and time. That it is a long straight stretch of road and traffic often tends to be light just worsens the situation.

I propose that live speed displays, such as those along Exit 8A of the Pan Island Expressway showing the speed of vehicles exiting the expressway, be used to remind motorists to slow down.

Chen Junyi

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 23, 2018, with the headline Speed displays more effective than cameras. Subscribe