Oral Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng to Parliamentary Question on Driving Against the Flow of Traffic and Road Signs

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport

a.     how many incidents of drivers going against the flow of traffic have there been in the last three years;

b.     how many accidents have occurred due to this problem;

c.     how does the Ministry assess the quality and clarity of its road signs; and

d.     how does the Ministry decide if and when signs have to be installed or improved.

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Transport whether the LTA engages experts in behavioural and vision sciences to contribute their expertise in the design of road signs and junctions so as to minimise the risk of drivers inadvertently going against the flow of traffic.

Reply by Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng:

1.     The Traffic Police does not generally track and categorise accidents by the cause of vehicles going against the flow of traffic. However, for fatal accidents specifically, their data show that three have occurred in the past three years as a result of this behaviour.

2.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) takes reference from international standards in the design and installation of road signs and markings. In addition, LTA engages independent, specialist road safety engineers to review the clarity and effectiveness of road signs and markings for new roads, and to undertake regular safety audits of existing roads.  

3.     Drivers should be extra careful and slow down if they are not familiar with the roads.