Converting Zebra Crossings to Signalised Crossings to Enhance Safety for Elderly Pedestrians

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Acting Minister for Transport in view of the 145.5% increase in elderly pedestrian fatalities in 2025 reported in the Police's Annual Road Traffic Situation

a.      what criteria are used to determine whether zebra crossings shall be upgraded to signalised crossings;

b.      whether elderly population density is factored into these decisions; and

c.      whether more signalised crossings will be installed in estates with higher proportions of seniors.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.      Conversion of zebra crossings into signalised crossings is assessed holistically based on site-specific conditions such as traffic pattern, road width, nearby amenities, and proportion of elderly. Signalised crossings are typically considered in busier or more complex traffic environments.

2.      For example, elderly pedestrians may require additional crossing time. Hence, in estates with higher proportions of elderly, we have Silver Zones and Friendly Streets – featuring signalised crossings with longer crossing time, and narrowed road sections to encourage motorists to slow down and stop for pedestrians to cross more safely. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will continue to expand the Friendly Streets initiative to all the Housing and Development Board (HDB) towns by 2030.