Singapore is doubling down on its efforts to enhance road safety with the installation of more red-amber-green arrows at junctions, aiming to minimize discretionary right turns and mitigate traffic accidents.
Image: Asiaone
Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed that between 2019 and 2023, approximately 2,700 accidents were reported at junctions with discretionary right turns, resulting in 56 fatalities. In response to these alarming statistics, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is ramping up its efforts to implement red-amber-green arrows at more intersections.
Since 2018, over 1,200 traffic junctions have been equipped with red-amber-green arrows. Now, LTA plans to extend this initiative to approximately 200 additional junctions, pending further site studies. Minister Chee emphasized that this expansion aims to reduce the proportion of traffic junctions allowing discretionary right turns to less than 15 percent of all signalized junctions.
During a parliamentary debate in 2019, Members of Parliament urged authorities to expedite the removal of discretionary right turns, highlighting their inherent risks. Minister Chee reiterated these concerns, stressing the need for proactive measures to address road safety challenges.
Notably, former Transport Minister S Iswaran noted a significant reduction in accidents involving right turns following the implementation of red-amber-green arrows in August 2022.
The move to enhance road safety is particularly crucial for vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists and elderly pedestrians. Despite constituting only 14.4 percent of the total vehicle population, motorcyclists or pillion riders were involved in over half of all traffic accidents and accounted for half of all traffic fatalities.
Image: CNA/Hanidah Amin
By prioritizing the installation of red-amber-green arrows and minimizing discretionary right turns, Singapore aims to create safer road environments for all road users. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to leveraging technology and infrastructure to address pressing transportation challenges and ensure the well-being of its citizens.
