Traffic Accidents: The Elderly and Motorcyclists

Feb 6, 2010
Elderly pedestrians, motorcyclists most at risk
By Mavis Toh

JAYWALKING was the biggest cause of deaths among elderly pedestrians last year.

Of the 20 people above 60 years old who were killed on the roads, 13 were jaywalkers. The Traffic Police listed elderly pedestrians as one of two key areas of concern yesterday, despite the number of fatalities on Singapore roads dropping to a 30-year low.

The other: Motorcyclists.

The Traffic Police pointed out that the elderly remained the most vulnerable pedestrians.

More than two in five pedestrians killed last year in accidents were aged above 60 years old.

The concerns were highlighted again this year when former national athlete Tan Eng Yoon, 82, was killed after he was knocked down by a car while crossing Upper Thomson Road last week.

His death followed a similar accident along the same stretch of road three months ago, when Mrs Helen Wee, 76, died after she was hit by a car.

Mr Wong Lit Shoon, chief executive of the Singapore Action Group of Elders (Sage) Counselling Centre, said that while there are elderly persons who have problems getting up and down the stairs of overhead bridges, many also jaywalk because they overestimate their own physical abilities.

"They forget that they are physically slower and think they can cross the roads before the cars come," he said. Sage also works with the Traffic Police to raise road safety awareness among the elderly by taking them to the road safety park.

The other group of road users highlighted are the motorcyclists and pillion riders. They remain the most vulnerable group on the roads - making up 91 of the 188 fatalities last year.
But compared to 2008, there was a drop of 17 deaths.

Most of these motorcyclists were aged below 35 and failure to have proper control, to keep a proper look out, and to give way to traffic with the right of way, were the main causes of their accidents.

But overall, there was better news on Singapore roads last year, as the traffic situation improved significantly. The fatality rate of 3.77 per 100,000 human population last year, down from 4.57 in 2008, set a 30-year low. The figure is comparable to other major cities like New York and Melbourne.

The dip is in spite of an increase in both human and vehicle populations last year. Fatalities across different groups of road users - from motorists to pedestrians and pedal cyclists - also fell, including among elderly pedestrians, which dropped from 28 in 2008 to 20 last year.

Deaths involving motorcar drivers and passengers fell from 23 in 2008 to 15 last year. Deaths of pedal cyclists and pillion riders also fell from 22 in 2008 to 17 last year. The only increase noted was for heavy and light goods vehicle drivers and passengers killed - from six in 2008 to 19 last year. These involved mostly lorries and vans.

There were no fatalities involving public transport.

Traffic Police commander Christopher Ng said that the statistics reflect the effectiveness of the Traffic Police's strategy of enforcement, engagement and education. This year, to reinforce road safety habits in the elderly, they will be included in the Annual Shell Traffic Games - competitions at the Road Safety Park to test students' road safety knowledge - to play the role of pedestrians.

The Traffic Police will also be installing banners with road safety messages at carpark exits or electronic parking gantries to remind motorcyclists to ride safely.

Expecting the number of people and vehicles in Singapore to rise past the current figures of 4.99 million and 910,546 respectively, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ng urged road users to behave responsibly to ensure safety for all.

He added: "A disaster on the road can be averted by being just a little more alert and patient."


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Thinking It Over:

1. Who are the two groups of people most involved in traffic accidents? Why are these groups usually the ones involved in accidents?

2. What does 'fatalities' mean? Can you make a sentence with the word?

3. How does the Traffic Police intend to control the situation?

4. As a young citizen, what role can YOU play in ensuring traffic safety?

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