Your Letters

Think out of the box to solve traffic woes

Most motorists accept traffic jams as part and parcel of their daily commute without much thought.

There are three common causes of traffic jams which, if addressed, could help alleviate the situation.

First, road works. All road works should be carried out between 12am and 5am, when road use is at its lightest.

Second, traffic accidents. Unless a driver is incapacitated or a car cannot be moved, all drivers involved in accidents should take photographs of the cars and scene, then immediately move to the roadside to exchange particulars, rather than leave their vehicles in the middle of the road.

Third, traffic enforcement officers. They often park their motorcycles to monitor passing vehicles, making motorists slow to a crawl when they spot them. Unless there is a good reason, they should not do this as a matter of routine.

These suggestions could be implemented as laws or regulations or publicised in campaigns. Out-of-the-box solutions are needed to ease traffic jams here.

Chia Boon Teck

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 26, 2017, with the headline Think out of the box to solve traffic woes. Subscribe