This year’s Road Safety Month campaign focuses on the dangers of speeding and jaywalking
The Singapore Road Safety Month campaign has been organised annually by the Traffic Police and the Singapore Road Council since 2013. This year’s campaign was launched on 1 July by the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) and Traffic Police, with support from the Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Education, People’s Association and Automobile Association of Singapore. Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim was Guest-of-Honour for the event.
The theme for this year is Road Safety for all, with a focus on raising awareness on the dangers of speeding and jaywalking. This has been done through visuals with posters and lamp post banners at hotspot locations, as well as through community and social media outreach. There will also be information displays on safe riding, exhibitions and mini workshops to teach young children how to cross roads safely as it is important to inculcate these practices during the formative years.
In his speech, Assoc Prof Faishal highlighted the rise in traffic accidents following the return to normalcy as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Keeping roads safe, he pointed out, is a collective responsibility. While the Traffic Police and Land Transport Authority enforce road traffic rules, road users too should follow traffic signs and laws, and exercise courtesy when using the roads. “This is very important as our society ages, and we have more seniors in our midst,” stressed Assoc Prof Faishal. He revealed that 70 per cent of pedestrian-related accidents involve the elderly. Among these accidents, a vast majority were due to jaywalking.
A highlight of the campaign was the two-day ‘Road Safety for all’ carnival at Toa Payoh Hub Mall Atrium held from 1-2 July. This is the first time SRSC has organised a physical carnival since the resumption of public events following the Covid-19 pandemic. The carnival featured informative road safety exhibition displays and interactive activities. One of the booth partners, SBS Transit, organised an activity for members of the public to sit in a physical bus to experience a bus driver’s field of vision and understand their blind spots when driving. This will enable road users to take more care to avoid being in the blind spots of bus drivers.
“We hope that the community can join us and help us spread the importance of road safety. Members of the public can continue to play their part in ensuring that everyone can return home safely to their loved ones,” emphasised Mr Bernard Tay, Chairman of SRSC.
