They include additional measures like speed humps, 2-stage crossings
By Lee Jian Xuan, The Straits Times, 5 Aug 2014
SAFETY zones will be introduced by the end of the year in two residential estates to make it safer for elderly pedestrians.
By Lee Jian Xuan, The Straits Times, 5 Aug 2014
SAFETY zones will be introduced by the end of the year in two residential estates to make it safer for elderly pedestrians.
Bukit Merah View and Jurong West Street 52 have been designated as "silver zones" under a pilot project by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Works in both areas begin this month and will be completed by October and December respectively.
The roads in these areas will be modified to include additional safety measures like speed humps to reduce vehicle speeds, centre dividers to create two-stage crossings and ramp-downs for barrier-free access.
Speed limits will also be lowered to 40kmh where possible, said the LTA in a statement yesterday.
These safety features will also be implemented along sections of Yishun Ring Road, Bedok North Street 3, Bedok North Avenue 1, Bedok North Avenue 2, Marine Terrace and Marine Crescent.
These estates were chosen as they have a high elderly population and relatively high accident rates involving senior citizens.
When the zones were first announced earlier this year, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim noted that while elderly pedestrians make up 16 per cent of all pedestrian accidents, they constitute 40 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities.
The LTA noted that the measures should slow down motorised traffic and enable motorists to "keep a better look-out for pedestrians".
Housewife May Au, 53, who lives at Bukit Merah View, said that the measures will benefit the older folk living in her area.
"There's a hawker centre here, so a lot of old people cross the road to go there to eat. It's good that more is being done to keep them safe."
