培养公路安全意识 In recent weeks a spate of fatal road accidents, some involving school children at pedestrian crossings, has stirred the nations conscience and drawn attention to the urgent need to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone. Apart from deaths from illnesses, one of the biggest threats to ones life in highly motorised Singapore is to be killed in a traffic accident. Are most accidents preventable? Certainly yes, if all road users, be they motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, taxi drivers, heavy vehicle drivers and pedestrians, diligently practise road safety rules that are designed for their protection. In reality, however, these rules are honoured more by their breach than compliance. So a vehicle in irresponsible hands can be a most lethal weapon. Take the average Singaporean driver as an example. A usually rational person can be transformed suddenly into a demon behind a driving wheel. Once his impatience and selfishness gets the better of him, he becomes recklessly indifferent to the traffic rules and safety of others just to get his own way. Our taxi and heavy vehicle drivers also drive like maniacs on the roads, while our motorcyclists and cyclists, seemingly unaware of their particular vulnerability, habitually weave in and out of traffic dangerously, whenever it suits them. The pedestrian, too, knowingly jaywalks in the face of fast-moving traffic. Tragically, many paid with their precious lives in vain. Why are these inconsiderate road behaviours so common in Singapore, when its citizens are regularly held up by others as law-abiding? Do they not realise their foolhardiness and that they are tarnishing the Republics image? First and foremost, road safety consciousness is generally not firmly ingrained in Singaporeans. Many would flout the laws if they think they can do so with impunity. They often succeed because policemen cannot be everywhere. Unlike in Japan and the more advanced Western countries, there is a marked absence of strong peer pressure here to deter these anti-social behaviours. One of the worst character traits of Singaporeans is that a traffic violator would often react aggressively if he is told of his misdoings, and, not infrequently, injuries or deaths had resulted in consequence of road rages. It is, therefore, not surprising that uncivilised road conducts are pervasive as most aggrieved parties would rather tolerate these culprits than asserting their rights with unpredictable consequences. Many concerned Singaporeans have repeatedly urged that remedial actions be taken to improve the traffic situation. Some of their useful suggestions have been actively debated in newspaper columns but forgotten after a while. In my view, Government and the public must intensify their efforts to tackle this pressing problem as a joint national undertaking in order to prevent more mayhem on our roads. The following proposals are put forth in the hope that they would generate more public discussion: Firstly, a comprehensive review of our traffic and related laws be carried out to ensure that they keep abreast with changing circumstances. Where appropriate, substantially heavier fines and enhanced punishments be inflicted on those who commit serious offences. It is true but lamentable that Singaporeans generally respond well to stricter application of the laws. The courts success in dealing with road rage cases comes to mind. Secondly, illegal parking and traffic obstruction occur daily all over Singapore, particularly near schools, markets, religious institutions, food centres, in housing estates and even on busy roads, often leading to traffic chaos, frayed tempers and even accidents with injuries or deaths. Its time we stopped these irresponsible acts, especially when parking lots are readily available in the vicinity. Thirdly, a road safety culture must be nurtured and take roots here. An imaginative road safety campaign, with sustained support of employers, employees, trade unions, media and others, be held at regular intervals with effective follow-up actions aimed at the whole community. If Singaporeans can repeat the admirable team spirit during the SARS outbreak, our roads definitely will be safer. Lastly, our schools and parents can and should play a pivotal role in transmitting road safety and civic consciousness as a way of life to the young under their charge. Their influence in this regard cannot be over emphasised. To use a time-honoured cliche, lets together make road safety the responsibility of everyone in Singapore! 过去几个星期，发生了多起致命公路意外，不幸身亡的包括在人行道上过马路的学生。
国人对此深切关注，也希望情况尽快改善，保护公路使用者的安全除了患病身亡，新加坡交通繁忙，在公路意外中丧命是对我们生命的一大威胁 是不是大多数的公路意外都是可以避免的？答案是肯定的不过，所有公路使用者，包括驾车者、电单车和脚踏车骑士、德士司机、及驾驶重型车辆者等，都必须遵守为了保护他们而制定的公路安全条例 事实是，人们往往对这些条例视若无睹在一个不负责任的人手中，一辆车可以变成一件杀人凶器 新加坡的驾车者一般上是相当理智的不过，在失去耐心和自私心里作祟下，一些司机可能突然完全失控而变得鲁莽，只顾自己的方便，无视交通规则和他人的安全 在公路上横冲直撞的德士司机和重型车辆驾驶者也不乏其人，却偏偏有一些电单车和脚踏车骑士，似乎不在乎他们比其他驾车者更容易受伤，习惯性地在繁忙的交通里危险地穿梭。