Singaporeans' petition to disallow discretionary right turns at traffic junctions – where drivers use their own judgement to turn when the traffic light is green - is an understandable reaction following two recent fatal traffic accidents at intersections.

Many people are also concerned about allowing discretionary left turns on red although this is only permissible at certain junctions.

Indeed, we should make our roads safer for users.

As the Land Transport Authority (LTA) rolls out a five-year programme to install red-amber-green arrow signals at traffic junctions so that drivers can turn right only on green arrow, some experts in the field have pointed out that the current system is not entirely to blame.

This calls into question the exercise of proper judgment by all road users, some of whom may be taking chances with fate.

According to the Traffic Police, the number of fatal accidents this year so far has increased, compared to the same period last year.

Obviously, not all accidents involved vehicles that made discretionary right turns at traffic junctions.

The causes cited include the failure of motorists to keep a proper lookout for oncoming traffic and their inability to properly control the vehicle, as well as jaywalking by pedestrians and the failure of others to pay adequate attention to the traffic.

True, not all countries around the world allow discretionary turns, whether on green or red, but where the concept is adopted, one may then ask how is it that by and large it seems to be working safely?

There are of course rules that apply as with any other aspect of driving, including exceptions to the rule where such practices are a definite no-no, especially where the traffic is unusually heavy, the roads are too wide and the vision of oncoming traffic is obstructed.

It is well and good that the LTA is installing light signals and considering other features such as lighted road studs, countdown timers and 'Give Way to Pedestrian' signs.

These certainly will enhance safety as long as all road users respect the rules.

But as its group director of traffic and road operations Chandrasekar said, road safety is a “shared responsibility” where both motorists and pedestrians must play their part.

Beyond implementing physical enhancements there is a bigger issue of a behaviourial nature.

Dr Park Byung Joon from the Singapore University of Social Sciences said: “It is not just about the signalling system. We also have to look at the 'kiasu' behaviour of drivers, and their attitude towards safety has to change.”

We need to take pause there and reflect on how we go about doing the things we do daily and our attitude toward sharing the common space with others.

Being “kiasu” (Hokkien for scared to lose) may speak of a personal drive to achieve, but accomplishing this at the expense of someone else shows up its ugly side.

No malice is likely intended, just that we become so caught up with our own goals that we forget or are not conscious of others’ co-existence.

We need to promote a culture of “yield”, which must take precedence especially where road safety is concerned.

If you can avoid an incident without insisting on your rights, better that than to prove the other party wrong at all costs.

One-upmanship can often turn nasty and lead to dire consequences.

While not encouraging pedestrians to be careless, it would do good for motorists to recognise their vulnerability and allow them, especially seniors, more leeway.

My experience has often been one of the pedestrian having to give way to the motorist in Singapore rather than the other way around, even at seemingly innocuous junctions such as the entrance or exit of a carpark where motorists are expected to slow down.

In countries such as the United States and Canada, the “yield” culture works wonders.

Where two lanes merge into one, motorists alternate to allow feed into the open lane. If you find difficulty connecting to a busy road, chances are that someone will stop to let you pass and move ahead.

At uncontrolled four-way crossroads, you yield on the basis of who arrives first at the line, according priority to pedestrians at all times.

And it is common to see a stretch of road with four-way junctions every 50 metres without traffic lights, and yet because of the yield culture, everyone stops at the junction and follows the unspoken rule of giving way to someone else who arrived earlier and driving off before someone else who reached the juncture later.  

A prominent “yield” sign at the junctions serves as a reminder for motorists.

It is amazing how when the traffic signals malfunction at busy intersections, this same understanding will ensure that traffic does not stand still but continues in an orderly manner albeit at a much slower and more cautious pace with nary a honk of the horn.

The “yield” culture will teach us firstly to be more patient.

Beating the lights or getting ahead of a pedestrian as the lights change, for example, are reckless acts that smack of impatience.

Secondly, it teaches us to be more accommodating.

It does not hurt to give way to another motorist caught in a difficult position to go ahead of us. Look at it as an act of kindness, that in passing it forward someone will reciprocate the favour some day when we need it.

And, thirdly, it teaches us to be more forgiving since two wrongs can never make a right.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David leo is a published author.