They include additional measures like speed humps, 2-stage crossings
SAFETY zones will be introduced by the end of the year in two residential estates to make it safer for elderly pedestrians.
By Lee Jian Xuan, The Straits Times, 5 Aug 2014
Bukit Merah View and Jurong West Street 52 have been designated as "silver zones" under a pilot project by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Works in both areas begin this month and will be completed by October and December respectively.
The roads in these areas will be modified to include additional safety measures like speed humps to reduce vehicle speeds, centre dividers to create two-stage crossings and ramp-downs for barrier-free access.
Speed limits will also be lowered to 40kmh where possible, said the LTA in a statement yesterday.
These safety features will also be implemented along sections of Yishun Ring Road, Bedok North Street 3, Bedok North Avenue 1, Bedok North Avenue 2, Marine Terrace and Marine Crescent.
These estates were chosen as they have a high elderly population and relatively high accident rates involving senior citizens.
When the zones were first announced earlier this year, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim noted that while elderly pedestrians make up 16 per cent of all pedestrian accidents, they constitute 40 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities.
The elderly population in Singapore has also grown on average by 32,000 annually.
The LTA noted that the measures should slow down motorised traffic and enable motorists to "keep a better look-out for pedestrians".
The LTA noted that the measures should slow down motorised traffic and enable motorists to "keep a better look-out for pedestrians".
Housewife May Au, 53, who lives at Bukit Merah View, said that the measures will benefit the older folk living in her area.
"There's a hawker centre here, so a lot of old people cross the road to go there to eat. It's good that more is being done to keep them safe."
"There's a hawker centre here, so a lot of old people cross the road to go there to eat. It's good that more is being done to keep them safe."
* Safer roads for the elderly in Bukit Merah
By Lester Hio, The Sunday Times, 19 Oct 2014
Elderly residents in Bukit Merah View can now stroll around the estate with greater peace of mind, thanks to improved road safety features.
Elderly residents in Bukit Merah View can now stroll around the estate with greater peace of mind, thanks to improved road safety features.
It is the first among five estates to benefit from the Land Transport Authority's Silver Zone programme, which aims to make roads safer in areas with a large population of senior citizens.
These zones will be fitted with features that encourage motorists to slow down, while reminding elderly pedestrians to be careful when crossing the road.
For instance, enlarged centre dividers ensure that seniors can cross in two stages at their own pace instead of rushing across.
The speed limit in such zones has been reduced to 40kmh where possible.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Transport Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said: "Studies have shown that the probability of a pedestrian fatality in an accident where a vehicle travels at 40kmh is 50 per cent lower compared with an accident where a vehicle travels at 50kmh."
Chicanes, or gentle curves along sections of roads, and pinch points that narrow lanes have also been introduced to ensure that cars do not speed within the zone.
Retiree Lee Kit Fong, 83, said he feels "very much relaxed" crossing busier roads in Bukit Merah View now.
"Last time, I had to check both sides and cross quickly because the cars moved very fast," he said in Mandarin.
"Now I can walk slower and stop at the centre divider."
The programme will be completed in Jurong West, Bedok and Yishun in the first quarter of next year and in Marine Parade in the first quarter of 2016.
All these areas have had higher rates of accidents involving senior citizens.
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