SINGAPORE – The recent fatal accident at the Tampines Avenue 1 and Avenue 4 junction has sparked discussions on road safety. Senior Minister of State for Transport, Dr. Amy Khor, addressed the incident in Parliament on Tuesday (May 7), affirming that the junction was designed according to international safety standards.
Dr. Khor explained that the junction features adequate visibility for road users, conspicuous road markings, and properly designed kerbs to enhance safety. These measures align with global traffic safety protocols, she noted in response to Members of Parliament’s (MPs) concerns.
The tragic accident on April 22 claimed the lives of 17-year-old Temasek Junior College student Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril and 57-year-old pest control worker Norzihan Juwahib. Six others were injured, including a driver, Muhammad Syafie Ismail, who now faces charges of dangerous driving causing death.
No Prior Accidents Reported
Dr. Khor highlighted that from 2019 to 2023, there were no previous accidents involving severe injuries or fatalities at the Tampines junction. Following the accident, a review was conducted, and authorities concluded that no additional safety enhancements are currently required.
However, pending police investigations into the recent accident, the Ministry of Transport may reconsider implementing further measures to bolster road safety.
Suggestions for Safer Alternatives
Addressing suggestions for constructing more underground walkways, Dr. Khor noted that the ministry had not received specific feedback regarding safety concerns at the Tampines junction. Nonetheless, she assured that authorities remain open to exploring options to improve pedestrian safety at high-traffic intersections.
Ongoing Road Safety Initiatives
Dr. Khor outlined several ongoing initiatives by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) aimed at enhancing road safety:
Replacing Discretionary Right Turns: The progressive rollout of red-amber-green arrows at over 1,200 junctions has resulted in a 40% reduction in traffic accidents.
Special Zones: Establishing 371 School Zones near educational institutions and 40 Silver Zones in areas with high numbers of elderly residents.
Friendly Streets Initiative: Enhancing safety for daily commutes in residential neighborhoods.
The LTA also uses data from Traffic Police accident reports and public feedback to design approximately 1,000 road safety enhancements annually. These include speed humps, 3D road markings, and other infrastructure improvements to mitigate accidents.
Additionally, LTA conducts vehicle roadworthiness checks and collaborates with the Ministry of Home Affairs to educate motorists on safe driving practices.
A Shared Responsibility
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” Dr. Khor emphasized, urging all road users to remain vigilant and cooperative in promoting safer streets. While infrastructure improvements continue, individual accountability is key to preventing future tragedies.
This tragic incident underscores the need for collective action to ensure safer roads and enhanced awareness among road users across Singapore.
