The Roads Got Bumped Up in 2022
When the Safe Management Measures (SMMs) finally relaxed, traffic on Singapore’s roads shot up like a roller‑coaster on a late‑summer day. The result? An uptick in crashes that left people hurt but thankfully not many gone.
Mid‑Year Crash Check‑In from the Singapore Police Force
- Injured & fatal crashes rose 4.9 %
2021 (H1): 3,012 incidents
2022 (H1): 3,159 incidents - Fatalities dropped 22.4 %
2021 (H1): 58 deaths
2022 (H1): 45 deaths - Fatal accidents fell 15.4 %
2021 (H1): 52 fatal incidents
2022 (H1): 44 fatal incidents
What This Means
While more cars were crashing thanks to the traffic multiplication factor, it’s heartening that deaths went down. A smaller number of severe crashes could be thanks to better safety gear and road awareness—or maybe people are just driving smarter.
Bottom Line
More cars, fewer deaths. Straight‑up good news that the drivers are learning to keep their eyes on the road and their hearts on safety.
Decrease in red-light running violations and accidents, but increase in speeding-related violations and accidents
Traffic Trouble: Let’s Break Down the Numbers
Last year’s traffic stats gave us a mix of good news and a bit of a headache. While the cops are making strides with red‑light infractions, the speed‑ster calls are still ramping up.
What the Numbers Look Like
- Red‑light run‑ins – down 4.7% in both violations & accidents.
- Speed‑related woes – up 4.2% in violations and up 2.7% in accidents.
Here’s how it plays out in raw numbers for the first half of the year:
- Last year: 66,480 violations & 474 accidents.
- This year: 69,291 violations & 487 accidents.
Quick Takeaway
Red‑light rebellion is curbing itself, but speed demon tendencies are creeping upward. If you’re still “just a bit rude” at red lights, quit that habit—every 1,000 cars takes a turn to catch the blink of a traffic light. And as for speeding, that’s a reminder that pushing the limit is just a recipe for a higher ticket until next quarter.
Bottom line: keep calm, keep green, and if you must exceed 45 mph, think of that extra caffeine not just for the ticket but for the sleepy road ahead.
Decrease in drink-driving accidents, increase in persons arrested for drink driving
Drink‑Driving Trends: A Tale of Two Numbers
Let’s break it down in plain English and a little dash of humor.
Accidents: Down, Down, and Gone (at least 9%!)
- First half of 2021: 78 incidents hit the road.
- First half of 2022: Slashed to 71 – that’s a 9% drop. Cheers to fewer scary spins!
Arrests: Up, Up, and 7% Higher!
- First half of 2021: 741 folks got the ticket of the day.
- First half of 2022: 793 – a 7% climb. Seems like cops are on a roll!
So, while the road might feel a bit safer, the police seem to be getting more ready to pull the trigger (or the whistle). Expect a mix of relief and a sigh of “another day, another arrest.”
Accidents involving elderly and motorcyclists remain a key concern
Why Elderly Pedestrians Keep Getting Involved in Road Fights
Hey folks, grab a seat and keep an eye on the pavement – because the latest police data tells us that our seniors are finding themselves in more eye‑popping accidents than ever before. Below are the straight‑up numbers that make this all too real.
Numbers That Add Up to Ouch!
- Accidents involving elderly pedestrians skyrocketed from 103 in the first half of 2021 to 117 in 2022.
- Fatalities among the elderly jumped from 5 in 2021 to 9 in 2022.
- Injuries climbed from 100 to 109 in the same period.
Proportion of Trouble
- They make up 37.1% of all pedestrian accidents.
- They’re responsible for 35.5% of pedestrian injuries.
- And a whopping 81.8% of pedestrian deaths.
Who’s Blowing Straws?
- A staggering 45.3% of these mishaps are linked to jaywalking.
Solutions While They’re Walking
- Get over that curb – use overhead bridges or pedestrian crossings whenever possible.
Bottom line: while it’s easy to laugh about the numbers, each one represents a real person who deserves safe passage. Let’s all give our elderly neighbors the courtesy of a smooth stroll across the street.
Riding Through the Numbers: When Motorcycles Bite Back
Accidents on the Rise
Motorcycles have decided to stage a little show of their own, with a 1.3 % uptick in crashes in the first half of 2022—think 1,733 incidents compared to the 1,711 back in 2021.
Lives on the Line
Despite the increase in mishaps, fatalities went down a notch, slipping from 26 in 2021 to 25 in 2022. That’s a tiny victory for safety measures, or maybe just good luck.
- Injuries among riders and pillion passengers climbed 1.5 %, from 1,816 in 2021 to 1,844 in 2022.
The Motorcycle Effect
Motorcycle riders and their pillion companions are still the MVPs of road mishaps: they’re involved in 54.9 % of all traffic accidents and account for 55.6 % of the fatalities in the first half of 2022. That’s more than half the action, and not exactly something to boast about.
Comparisons of accident and violation data for the first half of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
A: Traffic accidents resulting in fatalities and injuries
B: Red-light running violations
C: Red-light running accidents
D: Speeding violations
E: Speeding-related accidents
F: Drink-driving arrests
G: Drink-driving accidents
H: Traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians
I: Traffic accidents involving motorcyclists
The Road Safety Groove is Back on the Streets
The Traffic Police (TP) have rolled out the red‑carpet for in‑person road safety sessions as Singapore’s Covid‑19 curve steadies and mask‑mandates lift.
“Road Safety for Everyone” – 2022 Highlights
In May 2022, TP teamed up with the Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Ministry of Education, the People’s Association (PA) and the Automobile Association of Singapore. The result? The Singapore Road Safety Month 2022 campaign, starring the theme “Road Safety for All.”
On 31 May 2022, the Friends of SRSC programme kicked off, inviting volunteers to spread safety tips to friends and family.
Late August saw more than 200 seniors, volunteers and guests gather at the SingPost Auditorium for a Road Safety Concert for Seniors, organised by TP in partnership with SRSC, LTA and PA. The goal was simple: keep seniors street‑smart and instill solid road habits.
What’s Coming Up?
TP isn’t stopping here. Several fresh initiatives are lined up – keep reading to find out how you can get involved:
| Month | Campaign | What We’re Doing | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | Singapore Ride Safe Campaign | Encouraging motorists to adopt safe driving practices and wear protective gear | One seat‑belt, one clever habit = fewer injuries |
| November | Singapore Traffic Games 2022 | Collaborating with SRSC to reach young students via fun games and lessons | Kids learn safety before they hit the road |
| December | Anti‑Drink Drive Campaign | Spreading the word that driving drunk is a no‑no and a serious risk | A little reminder to keep your clear head on the road |
How You Can Join the Movement
Road safety isn’t a solo act; it’s a chorus. Every driver, rider, foot‑walker, and even the dog‑walker in the neighbourhood adds a note that keeps our streets harmonious.
