SINGAPORE –  In 2022, 23 elderly pedestrians died in traffic accidents, a 53.3 per cent increase from the 15 in 2021.

The number of seniors aged 60 and above injured in pedestrian-related accidents also increased, from 193 in 2021 to 213 in 2022.

These numbers were released by the Traffic Police (TP) on Tuesday in its annual statistics report.

In 2022, 108 people died in traffic accidents, up from 107 in 2021.

TP added that 70 per cent of pedestrian-related fatal accidents in 2022 involved seniors aged 60 and above. 

Seniors jaywalking was the main reason for these deaths, accounting for 73.9 per cent of fatal accidents involving elderly pedestrians.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Gerald Lim, commander of TP, said on Tuesday: “Elderly pedestrians may assume they are able to cross the road very quickly.

“Unfortunately, their mobility has slowed. We have to manage their expectations.”

He added that TP works with the People’s Association and elderly homes to educate seniors on the importance of road safety.

Overall, the number of people injured in traffic accidents also increased, from 7,240 in 2021 to 8,252 in 2022.

This is still lower than the 9,833 who were injured in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Assistant Superintendent Siti Haira Batra said elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists remain over-represented in accidents.

The officer-in-charge of TP’s fatal accidents investigation team added: “We would like to remind pedestrians to practise good habits such as looking out for traffic before crossing the roads, even when using pedestrian and zebra crossings.”

On Tuesday, the police also said there were more drink-driving accidents – 170 in 2022 compared with 155 in 2021.

They said the increase coincided with the resumption of nightlife activities in April 2022. 

Ten people died in drink-driving accidents in 2022, which was more than the eight in 2021.

The number of people nabbed for drink-driving rose by 16 per cent, from 1,453 in 2021 to 1,685 in 2022. 

The good news is fewer motorists ran red lights, from 44,745 cases in 2021 to 43,697 in 2022, a decrease of 2.3 per cent.

Accidents caused by the running of red lights also fell, from 136 cases in 2021 to 132 in 2022.

However, the number of speeding-related accidents increased by 14.2 per cent, from 984 cases in 2021 to 1,124 in 2022.

The police said: “Motorists who flout traffic rules and regulations such as red-light running, speeding or drink-driving may be prosecuted in court.

“If grievous hurt or death is caused, motorists may face imprisonment and driving disqualification.” 

In 2022, motorcyclists and pillion riders were involved in 56.1 per cent of traffic accidents, with 3,854 such accidents, an increase from 3,464 in 2021.  

More motorcyclists and pillion riders were hurt, from 3,693 in 2021 to 4,165 in 2022.

Forty-seven of them died in 2022, three fewer than in 2021. 

The police will launch an online mock theory test in 2023 for motorists to update themselves with the latest traffic signs and rules, since several changes have been made over the years.

For instance, a new rule kicked in from Jan 1, 2022, which requires cyclists to keep to groups of no more than five bicycles in length.

Silver Zones, which have a speed limit between 30kmh and 40kmh, were also introduced only in 2014.

On Tuesday, TP said the online mock theory test mirrors the requirements of the tests that all motorists need to pass to drive or ride motorcycles.

Learners will be able to review their answers at the end of each session and can access the free test via Singpass.

Said SAC Lim: “We believe that enforcement alone is insufficient to bring down traffic accidents.

“What we need is continuous education and engagement to complement enforcement action, so as to drive home to all road users a sense of responsibility and to exercise graciousness.”