Singapore’s streets have seen a tragic uptick in pedestrian accidents recently, raising concerns among residents about road safety measures.
Fatalities and Serious Injuries Prompt Call for Action
In a distressing incident on 6 February 2024, a six-year-old girl was fatally injured after being struck by a car near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown. The accident occurred around 11.50am, with both the young victim and a thirty-one-year-old woman being transported to Singapore General Hospital. Unfortunately, it was later reported that the girl did not survive.
Response to Bedok Accident
Just days earlier, on 4 February 2024, another serious accident left a 76-year-old woman, a personal mobility aid (PMA) user, in hospital following a collision with a car in Bedok. This incident also occurred at a pedestrian crossing, underscoring ongoing safety concerns. Paramedics were seen attending to the elderly woman at the scene, and she was subsequently transported to Changi General Hospital with police investigations currently underway.
New Regulations for Personal Mobility Devices
These incidents have spurred discussions about impending regulations aimed at increasing the safety of PMA users. According to the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill passed by Parliament on 4 February 2024, users will need a Certificate of Medical Need starting from 1 June 2024. Additionally, PMAs must be registered, and new guidelines will enforce stricter speed limits.
- Speed limit reduced to 6km/h from 10km/h for PMAs on public paths.
- Oversized PMAs—defined as exceeding dimensions of 120cm by 70cm by 150cm—will be banned from public paths.
- Registration will begin for existing PMA owners from mid-2027.
Government’s Commitment to Public Safety
Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng has stated that the aim is to restore the original purpose of PMAs to assist those who truly need them while protecting all users of public paths. With the recent accidents serving as a grim reminder, it’s clear that addressing safety on the roads is more critical than ever.