How can we improve our driving behavior?

Question

I read the news

"A nationwide road safety survey has revealed that Singapore drivers are less inclined to signal when switching lanes.....The survey showed that 60 per cent admitted to committing at least one dangerous driving practice." http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090609/tap-827-driving-10km-hr-speed-limit-beat-231650b.html

The survey reveal something bad, it's ok. But how can we make it better? How can we improve our driving habit? Thanks

Answer 1

Start from the beginning when driver learn to drive and inculcate the importance of good and considerate driving habits. Emphasis needed to be imposed to the driver that there are consequences that they will regret for life if they disregard or simply ignore these driving habits. And that safety is everybody business.



Secondly, let them all attend a show, showing the consequences of inconsiderate, dangerous, reckless driving etc. Showing them the results (even if it involve blood and gore) will be a good wake up call for all.



Thirdly, perhaps a workshop on do's and don't. These may help drivers make better decisions while driving. At the same instant to be more vigilant and attentive as well as more responsible while behind the wheel.

Answer 2

I think the key to better the communication between that two of you, is talking about things and the other partner needs to listen, most arguments come from simple communication mistakes. My fiance` and I had a rocky patch that lasted about 6 months and man we fought over the dumbest things, it almost ruined our relationship, but thankfully we both realized what we were doing and what we needed to do to correct the problem. I was always too scared to tell him how I really felt because I didn't want to make him mad and that ended up hurting us more because I would let it build up until I couldn't take it anymore then something would happen and boom...explosion! You have to be able to tell him exactly how you feel, why you feel that way, and talk about what can be done to fix it, and the same goes for him. Also it is much better to have a good sense of humor when you feel an argument is approaching, I know it may be hard but trust me it works. Wouldn't you much rather laugh it out than yell it out! Try joking with one another it can bring the elevation down and get you both laughing instead of being upset. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. That is the only way. Singaporeans behave like school children. When the "authorities" are around, we are at our best behavior. When the "TP" is nowhere to be seen, we behave like road demons. Road Safety and Courtesy campaigns are a waste of public funds. So is the drawing of double yellow or jagged lines. Cars stop anywhere they want because of the lack of enforcement.The traffic wardens that do show up should book them immediately on sight; not let the drivers scurry away like little children caught playing or with their hand in the cookie jar. An offence has already been committed, the car is parked in a place where they should not be at. What nonsense. We can be lenient when society starts behaving like civilised citizens. We are light years away in terms of being courteous.



I cannot understand why we are unable to have more Traffic Police patrolling and enforcing the rules. We are a frigging island for crying out loud.



It is really difficult for those who want to try and stick by the rules when others openly flout them because they know they can get away with it. The end result is the adoption of the attitude that if we can't beat them, join them. A tragic and vicious cycle.



Unless we have better enforcement, it will only get worse as we adopt a jungle survival attitude - not something to be proud of when we tout ourselves as "having arrived" and believing that we are almost a "first world" country. As it stands, we are nothing more than a modernized fishing village of immigrants with zero social graces.



I honestly believe this is the mindset of our drivers:



Courtesy is for FREE ( we don't get paid an incentive for being courteous, so why bother )



Courtesy is for you and me ( only if I WIN )



Don't waste time and resources on campaigns. Throw Singa the lion in the trash can. You can't reach out to our children with such "cute" cartoon characters when adults around them behave like infantiles on the road. Start issuing more summonses, increase the Fines, tow vehicles to Jurong Island or Lim Chu Kang for illegal parking and make the owners pay for the towing charge and storage for a month before they can claim their cars. Revoke the licenses of those who drive against the traffic flow - a very common sight in car parks and small roads. Why bother to have No Entry signs or arrows drawn???



Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. I will bet my last dollar that the majority of drivers will play by the rules when others start doing the same.

Answer 4

Being dangerously held at countless situations where i was desperately hanging on to dear life in the back seat....i would suggest & plead with the government to reconsider the passing benchmark for the licence. Like an exam at school, each child has to make it through a certain grade before moving on to the next level. In this case, revamp the passing criteria strictly. Its a matter of the public's life and death. Secondly, i would hope that those who are speeding and behaving like a nuisance on the road, to be punished serverly...their fast cars can be confiscated by the Gov and resold. Proceeds to be donated to charity. Licence will also be suspended for at least 3 years and offenders to be jailed with no fines allowed and their pictures published in the papers largely.

We have had many 'road safety' campaignes and it doesn't seem to work. Let's just live up to SG's name and punish those who disrespect the law and are an irreponsible threat.

Answer 5

Singapore's filled with unruly drivers mostly. When you indicate to change lanes, they purposely speed up to block you off. Then of course, you've got the road hogs who purposely drive slow in the fast lanes. The Taxi drivers are the worst of the lot, they do whatever they wish to on the road. Most Singaporean drivers are just despicable, they don't have any manners, and I reckon their main purposes are push and bully people on the roads regardless of the car / vehicle you drive.

Answer 6

The reason why so many accidents happen today no matter what country, province, or state is due to the lack of preparation and not paying attention. In terms of lack of preparation, this can be applied to young drivers mostly. What I mean is, when many teens today get their licenses for the first time they feel they are able to drive which is true. However the license is just that, a license saying you are qualified to drive. But what the teens fail to do is remember the information and actually apply what they have learned. They don't prepare themselves for the road. The same thing can be applied to adult drivers. Many adults fail to remember what they learned when they were teens. So they employ bad driving practices as a result of their failure to remember the key techniques.



The second reason is because many drivers do not pay attention to their surroundings. What good is it going to do a driver if they have a license and drive, yet they don't care what is going on around them? Many accidents occur because of driver's error. The error comes from not being vigilant about their surroundings. So the key is for drivers to remember what they learned, re-learn the techniques if they have to, and pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings. If you don't then you will cause accidents and you will make poor decisions.

Answer 7

Yes driving in Singapore has been getting more unpleasant these last couple of years. I now signal so as to get the cars behind me on the other lane to speed up. Then I change lanes once they've all gone ! Keeps me from getting frustrated. On busy Tokyo streets, it is common practice to thank the driver who gives way to you by flashing your hazard lights once or twice. This allows drivers to show their appreciation to one another. Courtesy can be contagious !

Answer 8

Compulsory refresher training prior to renewal of road tax.



Can be a video screening education programme to highlight latest highway code, new roads, good driving habits, danger areas, etc



Do something on pedestrains as well. Not just for the motorist



Instead of punitive measures, use reward and demerit pointers system to encourage people to do more right than to wait till get caught

Answer 9

Driving lesson should be tighten and taken seriously, I see a lot of drivers holding and talking through their handphones specially the ladies!!! The police should teach them that cars are only tools, not for them to show-off or to be the king of the road, they can also go to jail and be caned if they cause harm to public/pedestrians!



I dont see any police taking care of it, its an offense right? Singapore is becoming more and more free to offenders.

Answer 10

I have been observing this bad behaviour for some time. I can't think of any other way except to impose fines. Set up video recordings like for bus lanes. 1st 2 offences issue warning and a fine for the 3rd and subsequent offence. Set demerit points too for repeated offences.

Answer 11

We have all the rules and the laws, but we do not enforce the laws strictly. Singaporeans only follow the rules if it hurts their pockets. Strict enforcement of the traffic rules would eventually make them comply.



We should also show video how drivers in other countries behave-- the "dos" and the "don'ts". Show them what chaos could reckless behaviour create and how good behaviour could improve traffic flows. I am sure we will learn.

Answer 12

I suggest you talk a look at learning to drive in Germany.



Driving school ends up costing a significant amount in excess of US$1500. Perhaps initial training needs to be more rigorous in society. As well as introducing mandated standards that need to be acquired in order to drive.



Secondly, they have roads which have limits beyond 130km/h. But a road toll significantly less than some other Western countries. Perhaps that enforcement of rules, training and driving etiquette is respected.



And thirdly, proper investment into roads and infrastructure.

Answer 13

some driver think they own these roads...anyhow brake n see scene or accident involved without consider behind the car...v v bad n also those taxis also drive in this manner just to pick up customer..must bring camera along n take photo then sent to LTA haha

Answer 14

Its not about improving the driving skill but atittude. Singaporean are very well known as Kiasi (scared to die) and Kia su (scared to loose) So when they switching lanes without any consideration to other drivers they are being kia su (scared to loose) and when they are more wary about drink driving they are actually kia si (scared to die)



So its all about atittude mind you.......!!! And let me clarified all this kiasu and kiasi only apply to Singaporean chinese....not other race..sorry I am not being racist because I am a Singaporean myself....

Answer 15

Make one mistake, lose your licence, let's see who dare to commit offence.

Answer 16

Stop daydreaming and pay attention to the road.

Answer 17

very simply treat every other driver as a fool !!!!

Answer 18

It may sound dumb but go out and get a copy of your states drivers handbook and reread and understand what it is saying and drive by those rules........