Who Cares? I Do!

We should learn to treasure what little is left of cordiality on the roads of Singapore, Lynn says.

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DID motorists in Singapore simply wake up one day and decide that they wouldn’t stop at zebra crossings anymore? Pedestrians at the kerb now need to make the first move and indicate obviously that they want to cross, before cars would stop for them. And buses aren’t giving way to cars. Since the implementation of the mandatory “Give Way to Buses” scheme, I’ve encountered more and more public buses exiting the bus bay and entering the left-most lane even when the approaching car is practically alongside. The bus captains take it for granted that cars will and should stop for them, even if that particular bus stop  doesn’t fall under the scheme. I’ve witnessed, on multiple occasions, motorists who had to emergency-brake to avoid colliding with a bus.

Whether road users are becoming less considerate or more self-righteous, or simply because they couldn’t care less, the black list continues to grow. On the bright side, whenever a motorist stops for me at a zebra crossing, I feel extra appreciative and would usually wave “thank you” – just as I would when I signal in my vehicle and someone lets me through instead of speeding up just to cut me off .

And whenever a driver makes a quick exit from his parking space because he doesn’t want to keep me waiting in my car, I’m consoled that there are still considerate people around who treat their fellow human beings, female or otherwise, with kindness. These folks are our last bastion of humanity on the road, I reckon. Interestingly, the situation is not as bleak when I’m travelling with my daughter on public transport. In most instances, people usually let us board the bus first and fellow commuters do off er us their seats. Maybe it is time for me to quit driving and take the bus?

Lynn feels that local motorists seem to have engaged “reverse gear” and are driving “backwards” in terms of road courtesy.