In a continued effort to raise awareness and promote safer road habits among motorcyclists in Singapore, ROADS.sg has partnered with the Singapore Motorcycle Trade Association (SMCTA) to launch a new video analysis series focused on real-life road incidents.
Our latest video features veteran riders Rex (20 years of experience) and Nelly (9 years) reviewing actual footage of local traffic situations —offering their insights, personal stories, and practical tips.
Why Two Lane Changes Can Be One Too Many
Snippet from the video / YouTube
The video opens with a breakdown of a dangerous maneuver: a rider making a two-lane change at one go.
While it may seem like a time-saver in dense traffic, Rex and Nelly point out how such moves often leave little room for error.
The rider briefly glances behind but missed to observe the red car braking in front. It’s a close call that could have ended far worse.
The issue here isn’t just the speed or traffic density—it’s the fact that making two consecutive lane changes simultaneously drastically reduces your field of vision and time to react.
If the rider had broken the maneuver into two distinct steps like checking mirrors, observing traffic, and shifting one lane at a time, he might have had enough reaction time to avoid the situation altogether.
It’s a textbook reminder that progressive lane changes are not just best practice and they’re often the difference between safety and collision.
Familiar Roads Can Still Surprise You
Snippet from the video / YouTube
Another clip showcases a rear-end collision where a motorcyclist crashes into a car that had already come to a stop at a “red light”.
The hosts speculate that the rider, likely familiar with the road, assumed the path ahead would be clear and didn’t anticipate the need to brake. This is because the red light was actually meant for the road on the left and not the road which the motorcyclist and car was on.
This overconfidence, born from routine, can lull riders into a false sense of security. Nelly adds that planning your route and remaining attentive, even on familiar roads is crucial.
Familiarity should never replace vigilance. The problem in this case was twofold: complacency and a failure to observe visible braking cues from the vehicle ahead.
Maintaining proper following distance and scanning the road for brake lights or slowing traffic would have significantly reduced the chance of this happening.
Braking Late and the Risks of Distraction
Snippet from the video / YouTube
One particularly striking segment features a night scene, where a rider brakes far too late as a car slows down at a junction.
Despite the brake lights being on for a while, the bike reacts just a second too late. The hosts suggest that the rider might have been distracted, perhaps by navigation on a mobile device.
This points to a growing issue among both drivers and riders: over-reliance on visual navigation.
While it’s common to glance at phones for directions, prolonged or frequent distraction can be dangerous.
Riders are encouraged to mount their devices securely and only glance briefly, ensuring that their primary focus remains on the road.
It’s also helpful to mentally plan routes ahead of time to minimize the need for mid-ride recalculations.
Snippet from the video / YouTube
Wet Weather, Skidding, and Sudden Stops
Snippet from the video / YouTube
The video then moves into a rainy-day incident where a biker skids and crashes due to road surface conditions.
It’s a harsh reminder that wet weather fundamentally changes the physics of braking and Imageturning.
The rider in question brakes suddenly, possibly overusing the front brake, and loses traction. Rex and Nelly dive into the mechanics—wet roads reduce tire grip, and weight shifts forward during braking make it easier for the front wheel to lock up, especially when not perfectly upright.
To avoid such accidents, riders should reduce speeds in wet conditions and brake gently, relying more on the rear brake.
Routine checks on tire condition and pressure are just as vital, such as balding or underinflated tires can lead to disaster even in dry weather, let alone on slick roads.
The Speed Camera Panic
Snippet from the video / YouTube
One of the more instructive clips involves a rider approaching a traffic junction as the light turns amber.
Spotted just ahead is a speed camera. Likely panicked at the thought of getting caught, the rider slams on the brakes and loses control.
Rex explains how this is a classic example of over-braking too quickly without giving the tyres the chance be loaded, especially on wet surfaces. Panic responses often override logic, but riders must remember that sudden, forceful braking, particularly when the road is slippery, often ends worse than the perceived consequence of a fine.
Maintaining a consistent, legal speed and applying brakes progressively would have helped avoid both the loss of control and the panic in the first place.
Let’s Keep the Roads Safer—Together
We at ROADS.sg are proud to collaborate with SMCTA and our sponsors to bring these educational video breakdowns to the community.
If you have footage you’d like us to review, or want to learn more about how to ride safer, do reach out. Let’s keep the conversations going, the lessons shared, and most importantly—everyone safe on the road.
📩 Submit your clips: email us at admin@roads.sg
🎥 Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o06fWg9O3-g
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Big thanks to the sponsors who make content like this possible!
Ban Hock Hin Co Pte Ltd
Rock Oil
MotorFlex Leasing Pte Ltd
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Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association
