Road Safety Campaigns

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what road safety campaigns and events have been organised in the last three years in Singapore; (b) how much of our resources are spent annually on these road safety campaigns and related activities; and (c) in view of the UN Global Road Safety Week to be held from 6-12 May 2013 in dedication to pedestrian safety, what activities are in store in support of this event.

I announced the launch of Safer Roads Singapore during this year's Committee of Supply debate on MHA's budget. This is a comprehensive plan involving the Traffic Police, its partners and the community to keep our roads safe. While enforcement of traffic laws is important, the education and engagement of the community and various stakeholders are also equally critical aspects of the overall strategy.

The Traffic Police, in collaboration with the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC), organises four major road safety-related campaigns annually. These are the Road Courtesy Campaign for all road users, the Shell Traffic Games for young children, the Ride Safe Campaign for motorcyclists, and the Anti-Drink Drive Campaign. From 2010 to 2012, the SRSC raised an average of $1 million each year to fund these campaigns.

In addition, the Traffic Police conducts many road safety talks and exhibitions that are targeted at different road user groups. These are organised in schools, at community events and to stakeholders, such as those in the transport industry. Over the past three years, the Traffic Police has reached out to more than 600,000 road users across various segments of our community through about 2,400 talks and exhibitions.

The Traffic Police also partners the private sector to organise road safety activities for the community. For example, Zouk hosted the Traffic Police and about 200 elderly pedestrians to a road safety luncheon during Chinese New Year last year. As part of the event, a road safety educational video was screened, and road safety messages were shared by the Traffic Police.

In support of Safer Roads Singapore and in conjunction with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week, the SRSC, together with the Traffic Police and the Land Transport Authority, will be holding the inaugural Singapore Road Safety Month from 6 May to 1 June this year. During the period, there will be customised road safety activities for different groups of road users, such as commercial transport operators, senior citizens, school children and motorcyclists.

Under Safer Roads Singapore, the Traffic Police and its partners will step up the engagement and education of the community on road safety. We encourage more members of the community to participate in TP's road safety activities and practise safe habits when using the roads. Together, we can create safer roads for all.