A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Leopard tank became the centre of attention after it appeared to knock a set of traffic lights askew while turning into North Bridge Road. The incident, caught on camera and shared by SG Road Vigilante, quickly went viral on Facebook, amassing over 280,000 views and more than 1,500 reactions from netizens.
The video, purportedly filmed on Saturday evening (5 July), shows the tank with a military licence plate making a right turn from Parliament Place towards North Bridge Road. Due to road closures for the National Day Parade (NDP) National Education Show 2 at the Padang, parts of North Bridge Road were off-limits to civilian vehicles, but the tank was attempting to access a section still open for parade preparations.
Tank Clips Traffic Lights, Loud Crash Heard
As the Leopard tank manoeuvred the tight turn, its wide angle caused it to veer towards the corner of the pavement. A loud crashing sound followed, accompanied by audible gasps from bystanders. When the camera panned to the direction of the noise, a set of traffic lights at the junction was seen leaning noticeably to one side, although it continued to function with the lights still changing.
After the impact, the tank initially reversed but appeared to struggle with steering as it attempted to realign itself in the correct direction. It remained stationary at the junction for a short while before finally managing to right itself and continue down North Bridge Road as intended.
Possible Mechanical Failure Suggested by Netizens
The incident attracted widespread attention online, generating over 500 comments within hours. While some commenters speculated that the driver might face disciplinary action, many others took a more forgiving stance, highlighting that no one was injured and that such mishaps can occur during complex manoeuvres involving large military vehicles.
Several individuals who claimed to have prior experience working with military equipment suggested the tank might have experienced a mechanical failure, affecting its steering or braking capabilities. Others pointed out the importance of these rehearsals, noting they allow for identification and correction of such issues before the actual National Day Parade.
Organisers Seen Assessing Damage
After the tank departed, individuals who appeared to be members of the NDP organising committee were seen inspecting the damage to the traffic lights and taking photographs. While the lights were left tilted, there were no reports of injuries or major disruptions to traffic in the area, which had already been limited due to the ongoing parade preparations.
The incident has since sparked a wider conversation about the challenges of operating heavy military vehicles on civilian roads, especially during large-scale events like the National Day Parade. Many netizens expressed support for the SAF personnel, acknowledging the difficulty of controlling such massive vehicles and emphasising the importance of safety for both servicemen and the public.