S'pore launches road safety initiatives ahead of Global Road Safety Week
In conjunction with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week (23-29 April) which many countries are participating in, Singapore is launching a series of road safety initiatives.
On Singapore's roads last year there were about 7,500 accidents, 10,000 people injured and 190 killed.
Statistically this translates to one fatal accident occurring every two days.
Motorcyclists made up more than half of the total fatalities last year, many of them young and aged between 18 and 30.
At the other end of the age spectrum, pedestrians, especially elderly ones, made up the second most vulnerable group on our roads.
This year, 20 young Road Safety Ambassadors will be appointed to help young riders, while advertisements will be used to caution the elderly.
Other safety measures to be put in place over the coming years include the "Black Spot Programme" and "Vibraline".
The "Black Spot Programme" will ensure traffic light arrows - to control right turning traffic - will be installed in high accident areas.
And "Vibraline", which causes vehicles of fatigued drivers to vibrate should they swerve off while driving on the expressway, is expected to prevent road accidents too.