Honestly need to vent a bit. Every time there’s some near-miss or accident on the news, the immediate response online is always the same: “Driver never pay attention,” “Driver speeding,” “Ban cars, devices on phone.” Like hello??? Drivers need to take test, pay COE, buy insurance, get demerit points. But what about pedestrians who cross road like they got extra lives?
Nowadays everywhere you go in Sg, whether it’s Orchard, Bugis, or even neighborhood estates, so many people walk cross crosswalk or jaywalk with their eyes glued 100% to TikTok or Mobile Legends. Noise-cancelling headphones on max, head down, zero situational awareness. They don’t even bother looking left and right before stepping onto the zebra crossing. It’s like they assume some magical forcefield will automatically stop 1.5 tonnes of moving metal just because they have the right of way.
Right of way doesn’t mean you are invincible lah. Physics doesn’t care about traffic rules. If a driver hits the brakes, braking distance takes time. What if the road is wet or the driver has a genuine blind spot? Why is the driver expected to have 360-degree radar vision while the pedestrian can just blur-blur walk into traffic looking at Shopee sales?
I think LTA or TP seriously need to implement strict penalties or fines for pedestrians distracted by mobile devices while crossing roads—similar to jaywalking fines. In places like Honolulu or Yamato in Japan, they already have “Distracted Walking” laws. Singapore always prides itself on being a fine city with safe streets, so why leave this huge loophole open?
Road safety is a two-way street (literally). Drivers should definitely be held accountable for dangerous driving, but pedestrians also need to take basic responsibility for their own personal safety. Put down the phone for 10 seconds while crossing the road. Is your phone notification really worth risking your life over?
What do you guys think? Am I talking cock or do we actually need to fine distracted pedestrians?