Traffic Violations and Accidents and Measures to Manage Congestion in Little India

Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Minister for Transport (a) from 2005 to 2013, what is the annual number of road traffic violations by pedestrians and motorists, and of injuries and fatalities sustained due to traffic accidents in Little India; (b) what is the average number of foreign workers transported via the LTA-approved private bus charters into Little India every Sunday prior to 8 December 2013; and (c) what measures are in place prior to 8 December 2013 to manage the human and vehicular congestion on the roads in and around Little India.

There were about 1,500 traffic violations by pedestrians and motorists annually in Little India between 2009 and 2013. During the same period, there was an average of about 90 fatal or injury accidents each year.

Prior to 8 December 2013, the Little India Bus Services ferried about 23,000 foreign workers to and from Little India every Sunday.

To manage traffic congestion, LTA deploys enforcement officers and traffic wardens to detect and deter illegal parking along the roads in Little India. Traffic schemes, such as the one-way traffic on Hampshire Road between 6 pm to 11 pm, also helped to reduce the occurrence of traffic bottlenecks and ensure better traffic flow. For crowd control, the Singapore Police Force deploys Auxiliary Police Officers (APOs) and Security Officers to patrol areas where foreign workers congregate.

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