Forum: Complacency on the roads is putting everyone at risk

As a young mother of a toddler, with another child on the way, I live with a constant contradiction. Driving in Singapore is extremely convenient, especially with young children. Yet it has also become increasingly stressful and unsafe.

On the roads, I see a growing culture of aggressive and inconsiderate driving. Drivers signal late because they fear not being given space to change lanes. Tailgating is used to pressure others to speed up, even when they are not hogging the rightmost lane. Some drivers brake suddenly and unnecessarily, adopting a “hit me lah” attitude that treats the road like a contest of nerves.

Pedestrians, too, play a role in this growing danger. I frequently encounter jaywalkers who assume vehicles will stop in time for them, and commuters who sprint across the road at the last second to catch a bus, perhaps. Such actions often ignore stopping distances and driver reaction time, creating unnecessary near-misses.

What concerns me most is the growing complacency on all sides. While Singapore’s roads are well designed and regulations are relatively strong, safety cannot rely on infrastructure and enforcement alone. It depends on daily choices, patience over urgency, consideration over entitlement, and an understanding that roads are shared spaces.

As a parent, I do not expect perfection from fellow road users. I only hope for a renewed sense of responsibility, because when something goes wrong, it is often the most vulnerable who bear the cost.

Priyeswari Devi