[MinMin]

Good news, but let's do more to tackle road deaths

YESTERDAY'S report, 'Speed-related deaths: First dip in six years', is a good sign that fewer human lives are at risk due to speeding. But there is a bigger concern that could have escaped the radar.

The decline is most likely due to more enforcement effort by Traffic Police rather than greater awareness of the importance of road safety, on and off the road.

What about other road users who died on the road for other reasons? An average of about 25 per cent of non-drivers died during the same period while crossing the road.

To address this problem, the Traffic Police and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) may consider a multi-pronged approach.

1. Most commercial vans are bigger and more power-hungry. Solutions:

- Reintroduce the speed warning light;

- Limit the engine mechanically;

- Impose a stiffer penalty for commercial vehicles that stray into the outer lanes;

- Introduce road-safety programmes for foreign workers who want to convert their overseas driving licence to allow them to drive; and

- Have the foreign driver named in the insurance policy as co-insured. This will make the employer more careful about who is behind the wheel.

2. On the speeding issue, LTA may want to consider the following:

- Install speed regulating strips before all pedestrian crossings and major road junctions, especially near schools and hospitals. Most drivers do not stop at pedestrian crossings. Most vulnerable are the elderly and young children who may not be able to react to a speeding vehicle;

- Make it mandatory for buyers of higher-capacity cars to take an advanced driver course. A special licence may then be issued to them. Like a karate black belt holder, tougher disciplinary action awaits him than a non-holder;

- Increase insurance premiums and excess on owners of sports cars and Japanese look-alikes. Insurers should dismiss claims for modified models and decline insurance for those in the high-risk category;

- Limit the age of younger buyers who aspire to a fast car they cannot handle. Mature drivers can handle emergencies much better than inexperienced ones;

- Archive at least four or five digital photos as a prerequisite for insurance. This will prevent foul play and excessive claims by unscrupulous workshops; and

- Remove or discourage advertisements that suggest '100kmh in less than x seconds'. This kind of advertisement will tempt some to drive more aggressively.

There is no reason law-abiding citizens should share the escalating costs of road infrastructure with those who have no concern for the public.

Tay Jiak Song

Good news, but lets do more to tackle road deaths