In an article published by Channel NewsAsia, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) lecturer Dr Che Maohao argues that better-designed pedestrian infrastructure may be the key to reducing jaywalking—and ultimately preventing injuries or fatalities on our roads.
While much attention is often given to reckless drivers in Singapore, less scrutiny tends to fall on pedestrian behaviour.
But in a dense, urban environment like ours—where road users of all kinds constantly interact—the need to examine pedestrian safety and infrastructure design is greater than ever.
Viral dashcam footage and tragic road incidents have revealed the serious consequences of jaywalking.
In November 2024, a woman was struck by a car while looking at her phone and crossing a busy intersection despite the green light for vehicles.
Video of an accident between a jaywalker in November 2024
Just a year prior, a pedestrian was even charged in court after causing a motorcyclist to crash and suffer fractures when he darted across the road to catch a bus.
These incidents are more than just cautionary tales. They highlight a reality: that both pedestrian negligence and infrastructural shortcomings can lead to serious road safety issues.
While motorists often bear legal responsibility, the conversation around pedestrian safety must include the systems and designs in place that might encourage risky behaviour.
Jaywalking isn’t always about impatience—it can also be about poor infrastructure.
Long signal waits at crosswalks, inconveniently located pedestrian bridges, or inaccessible underpasses may nudge people to take dangerous shortcuts.
Take Orchard Road as an example. As a major shopping and tourism belt, it sees heavy foot traffic and equally significant vehicle volumes.
Currently, pedestrians rely on either underpasses or long-wait signalised crossings. These are hardly ideal—especially for seniors or those with mobility challenges.
The government’s plan to pedestrianise a 500-metre stretch of Orchard Road is a welcome move. In addition to easing pedestrian movement, it reduces direct conflict points with vehicles altogether.
Similar upgrades have been made to Bencoolen Street and parts of Woodlands Ring Road, where wider footpaths and cycling lanes now promote safer, multi-modal commuting.
However, as the CNA article notes, these transformations take years to plan and implement. In the meantime, there’s room for quicker, more scalable measures—such as adding more pedestrian crossings at high-traffic locations like bus stops, schools, and food centres, or installing overhead bridges where feasible.
Beyond physical crossings, street design also plays a role in how safely both drivers and pedestrians behave.
In many HDB estates, roads are dual-lane and straight—perfect for maintaining speed but less ideal for ensuring safety, especially where children or elderly residents frequently cross.
This is where traffic calming measures come into play. The Silver Zones rolled out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are a great example. These zones feature narrower roads, raised crossings, and intentional curves that force drivers to slow down and be more attentive.
The government aims to establish 50 Silver Zones by 2025. But more could be done to implement these features as a default for residential streets. Slower roads not only reduce accident severity but also signal to both drivers and pedestrians that the space is shared—and safety is paramount.
At the end of the day, road safety is not just about rules—it’s about culture. Drivers have a legal duty of care, but city design must support them in upholding it.
Pedestrians must be cautious, but their environment should make safe behaviour the natural and convenient choice.
As Singapore continues to grow and evolve, so too must our road systems. The answer lies not just in more penalties or public campaigns, but in how we design our streets.
When infrastructure nudges everyone toward safer behaviour, the burden on individuals is eased, and everyone—driver, cyclist, or pedestrian—wins.
Let’s build a Singapore where no one feels the need to run across the road just to catch a bus, and where safety is a built-in feature, not a personal gamble.
Accidents occur frequently, but as responsible road users, we can collectively contribute to reducing their frequency.
If you or someone you know has a video or story to share, please do not hesitate to email us at writer@roads.sg
Together, we can all contribute to creating safer roads for everyone.
================
Get comprehensive cover at a lower price today! Receive up to S$400 worth of petrol vouchers with AIG. T&Cs apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
Get a quote now! www.aig.sg/roads
Comments are off for this post.