Licence to drive is equal to equipped to drive?
Below is 2 separate articles I've read in Today papers and MyPaper.
First - Extracted from Today papers (I didn't note down the date on the newspaper cuttings)
Title: Driving You Mad Testing Times
Subtitle: So you've passed your driving test. Are you really equipped to hit the road?
There's been alot of talk lately about poor driving standards in Singapore and last year's road accident figures certainly make for grim reading.
Figures obtained from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) show that 9,602 road accidents were reported last year, a sharp jump from 6,705 in 2005 and 5,685 in 1996.
The 69-per-cent increase in the number of accidents over the last decade is even more significant given that the number of vehicles here grew by just 18 per cent in the same period.
Why the sudden spike in on-road mishaps? Some industry observers say lower upfront taxes, falling COE prices and new financing schemes over the last few years have led to more young drivers and first-time car owners taking to the roads.
This in turn throws spotlight on the current driving test system, and whether it is outdated. Are new drivers ill-equipped to take on today's higher speed limits and more congested roads?
After all, learner drivers are currently taught only at low speeds, typically not more than 60kmh. They never go anywhere near an expressway, even though many will use these 90kmh roads regularly once they get their driver's license.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?
Simon Lee, a 25-year-old student who recently passed his driving test, is one person who believes driving instruction standards can be improved. "I learnt a lot from the current curriculum, but I still feel unprepared in certain areas, such as how to navigate in heavy traffic, driving on expressways and parking in tricky spots," he said.
The parking is evaluated, for one, is completely unrealistic, argue critics of the driving test. Tall poles are used to mark the boundaries of a parking space in driving circuits and many new drivers are hopelessly lost once in the pole-less real world.
However, Syed Ismail, the customer service manager and an ex-instructor at Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), feels the current driving test is still relevant.
Mr Ismail said BBDC's students have to pass stringent stage-by-stage tests before they are allowed to progress to more advanced training. He also pointed out that BBDC holds driver orientation courses, which familiarises drivers with real-life situations not covered in the test itself.
These courses are only optional though, and they still may not be enough to adequately prepare new drivers for the road. Most countries, including Singapore, recommend around 50 hours of pre-licensing driving practice, but when Sweden increased this to 120 hours, it saw a 40-per-cent drop in accidents involving drivers whose licences were less than two years old.
VIRTUAL DRIVING WORLD
Modern technology can also be used to educate new drivers about possible road hazards and how to execute emergency manoeuvres. In England and Australia for instance, drivers have to pass a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) as part of obtaining their licence.
These computerised HPTs include multimedia elements which help reflect the changing nature of road conditions much better than a static page can. Such technology is already available here. BBDC's driving simulator being a good example, but not every learner driver gets to use it.
YOUNG AND DANGEROUS
The lack of restrictions or “P-plate" drivers is also an area of concern among some. There have been several recent high-profile accidents involving young drivers. A 22-year-old died when he lost control of his car and it flipped over, while an undergraduate crashed into a petrol station's convenience store.
In Singapore, probationary drivers are only required to display P-plate and stay out of trouble by incurring no more than 12 demerit points in one year. Their counterparts in other countries have it much tougher -- in Australia and Canada, probationary drivers are not allowed on the roads from midnight to 5am.
They have also a zero blood alcohol limit at all times. A similar rule for under-21s takes effect next month in Germany. Compared to such broad measures in other developed countries, Singapore's probationary system seems somewhat lacking.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
A graduated licensing system, such as the one implemented in New South Wales in Australia, could be a good solution.
There, drivers go through multiple tests and progressive probation periods before obtaining a full licence. The whole process can take up to four years.
This may seem like too long a period just to obtain a driver's licence but given Singapore's excellent public transport system and small land area, the inconvenience is nothing compared to the potential increase in safety and the number of lives saved.
Talking about saving lives bring us to the 2nd article found in 我报. Knowing my readers' "high" standards in their Mandarin, I've decided to post the article in English.
A 22-year-old female student was on her way to school for her exam. She had an accident and knocked down a 66-year-old old lady.
The accident happened on 24/07/07 Tues on Duman Road. The student was driving her new red color car which was less than a month old when she knocked down an old couple who was crossing the road.
Under the strong impact, 76-year-old old man with his wife fell on the floor. The old lady was sent to A&E department and passed away at 8pm on the same day. Her husband's injuries were lighter, however he needs to be kept under observation.
The old couple was on their way to General Hospital for the old man's check up appointment. Never would they expect to meet with a tragedy just less than 10km away from home.
After reading the 2nd article, I wondered what would the parents of the student tell her. Would they tell her, "As long as you are ok, it doesn't matter that the car is damaged." If that would be the case, who and what would be told to the old man who lost his wife? Sometimes, accidents can be avoided in the first place. Would the 22-year-old still dare to drive her car out after this? Would she feel guilty? Before this accident, did she has the mentality that she was WELL EQUIPPED to hit the road just because she is licence to drive? Do some people really have to wait till someone is killed before they come to their senses? An innocent life is lost just to make these people come to sense, the old lady don't deserve to die.
First - Extracted from Today papers (I didn't note down the date on the newspaper cuttings)
Title: Driving You Mad Testing Times
Subtitle: So you've passed your driving test. Are you really equipped to hit the road?
There's been alot of talk lately about poor driving standards in Singapore and last year's road accident figures certainly make for grim reading.
Figures obtained from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) show that 9,602 road accidents were reported last year, a sharp jump from 6,705 in 2005 and 5,685 in 1996.
The 69-per-cent increase in the number of accidents over the last decade is even more significant given that the number of vehicles here grew by just 18 per cent in the same period.
Why the sudden spike in on-road mishaps? Some industry observers say lower upfront taxes, falling COE prices and new financing schemes over the last few years have led to more young drivers and first-time car owners taking to the roads.
This in turn throws spotlight on the current driving test system, and whether it is outdated. Are new drivers ill-equipped to take on today's higher speed limits and more congested roads?
After all, learner drivers are currently taught only at low speeds, typically not more than 60kmh. They never go anywhere near an expressway, even though many will use these 90kmh roads regularly once they get their driver's license.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?
Simon Lee, a 25-year-old student who recently passed his driving test, is one person who believes driving instruction standards can be improved. "I learnt a lot from the current curriculum, but I still feel unprepared in certain areas, such as how to navigate in heavy traffic, driving on expressways and parking in tricky spots," he said.
The parking is evaluated, for one, is completely unrealistic, argue critics of the driving test. Tall poles are used to mark the boundaries of a parking space in driving circuits and many new drivers are hopelessly lost once in the pole-less real world.
However, Syed Ismail, the customer service manager and an ex-instructor at Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC), feels the current driving test is still relevant.
Mr Ismail said BBDC's students have to pass stringent stage-by-stage tests before they are allowed to progress to more advanced training. He also pointed out that BBDC holds driver orientation courses, which familiarises drivers with real-life situations not covered in the test itself.
These courses are only optional though, and they still may not be enough to adequately prepare new drivers for the road. Most countries, including Singapore, recommend around 50 hours of pre-licensing driving practice, but when Sweden increased this to 120 hours, it saw a 40-per-cent drop in accidents involving drivers whose licences were less than two years old.
VIRTUAL DRIVING WORLD
Modern technology can also be used to educate new drivers about possible road hazards and how to execute emergency manoeuvres. In England and Australia for instance, drivers have to pass a Hazard Perception Test (HPT) as part of obtaining their licence.
These computerised HPTs include multimedia elements which help reflect the changing nature of road conditions much better than a static page can. Such technology is already available here. BBDC's driving simulator being a good example, but not every learner driver gets to use it.
YOUNG AND DANGEROUS
The lack of restrictions or “P-plate" drivers is also an area of concern among some. There have been several recent high-profile accidents involving young drivers. A 22-year-old died when he lost control of his car and it flipped over, while an undergraduate crashed into a petrol station's convenience store.
In Singapore, probationary drivers are only required to display P-plate and stay out of trouble by incurring no more than 12 demerit points in one year. Their counterparts in other countries have it much tougher -- in Australia and Canada, probationary drivers are not allowed on the roads from midnight to 5am.
They have also a zero blood alcohol limit at all times. A similar rule for under-21s takes effect next month in Germany. Compared to such broad measures in other developed countries, Singapore's probationary system seems somewhat lacking.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
A graduated licensing system, such as the one implemented in New South Wales in Australia, could be a good solution.
There, drivers go through multiple tests and progressive probation periods before obtaining a full licence. The whole process can take up to four years.
This may seem like too long a period just to obtain a driver's licence but given Singapore's excellent public transport system and small land area, the inconvenience is nothing compared to the potential increase in safety and the number of lives saved.
Talking about saving lives bring us to the 2nd article found in 我报. Knowing my readers' "high" standards in their Mandarin, I've decided to post the article in English.
A 22-year-old female student was on her way to school for her exam. She had an accident and knocked down a 66-year-old old lady.
The accident happened on 24/07/07 Tues on Duman Road. The student was driving her new red color car which was less than a month old when she knocked down an old couple who was crossing the road.
Under the strong impact, 76-year-old old man with his wife fell on the floor. The old lady was sent to A&E department and passed away at 8pm on the same day. Her husband's injuries were lighter, however he needs to be kept under observation.
The old couple was on their way to General Hospital for the old man's check up appointment. Never would they expect to meet with a tragedy just less than 10km away from home.
After reading the 2nd article, I wondered what would the parents of the student tell her. Would they tell her, "As long as you are ok, it doesn't matter that the car is damaged." If that would be the case, who and what would be told to the old man who lost his wife? Sometimes, accidents can be avoided in the first place. Would the 22-year-old still dare to drive her car out after this? Would she feel guilty? Before this accident, did she has the mentality that she was WELL EQUIPPED to hit the road just because she is licence to drive? Do some people really have to wait till someone is killed before they come to their senses? An innocent life is lost just to make these people come to sense, the old lady don't deserve to die.
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