Forum: Balanced enforcement, effective deterrence and accountability needed for road safety
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A recent tragic Tampines accident killed a young motorcyclist and his pregnant wife, leaving their six-year-old son without his parents (Police arrest driver, passenger who fled from Tampines crash that killed motorcyclist, pregnant wife, Oct 31). This should prompt serious questions about Singapore’s road safety priorities.
The driver allegedly drove while disqualified, in a deregistered and uninsured vehicle with a fake number plate, and fled after the collision. He now faces nine charges.
But why was someone in such circumstances able to continue driving and endangering others?
Figures for speeding in Singapore show 201,358 violations in 2024; 253,550 in 2025; and 126,976 in the first half of 2026.
That is nearly 700 detected speeding violations every day. These are not harmless offences. Every instance of excessive speed increases the danger faced by other road users.
I am also concerned about what appears to be an imbalance in traffic safety priorities.
Under Rule 14 of the Road Traffic (Pedestrian Crossings) Rules, cyclists must stop and look before crossing. Such requirements are visible and regularly emphasised.
Yet how often do we see motorists being stopped for failing to give way (Rule 4), failing to slow down at crossings (Rule 5), refusing pedestrians and cyclists precedence (Rule 6), stopping on crossings (Rule 9), or overtaking in zebra-controlled areas (Rule 11)?
As someone who has cycled on Singapore roads daily for over 20 years, I regularly witness these violations. They may appear minor individually, but they create a hostile and dangerous environment for vulnerable road users.
We must also ask if fleeing an accident scene should be treated as seriously as drink driving.
A driver who abandons an injured victim not only evades responsibility but may also deprive that person of potentially life-saving assistance. Hit-and-run offences should carry consequences that reflect this additional danger.
Road safety cannot depend on pedestrians and cyclists constantly watching out for irresponsible motorists. It requires balanced enforcement, effective deterrence and accountability.
Perhaps the real question is not whether our traffic laws are strict enough, but whether we are enforcing them where it matters most.
Every road user deserves the right to get home safely.
Francis Chu