YIO CHU KANG ROAD/JALAN KAYU JUNCTION (Road accidents)

Mr Teo Hup Teck asked the Minister of Defence how many road accidents occurred at the junction of Yio Chu Kang Road and Jalan Kayu in 1966 and in the first three months of 1967, and how many of them were fatal.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, there were two accidents at this junction in 1966 of which one was fatal. During the first three months in 1967 two accidents have occurred, both not fatal.

Mr Teo Hup Teck (Jalan Kayu): (In Mandarin): May I ask a supplementary question? Because there are no traffic lights at the junction of Yio Chu Kang Road and Jalan Kayu, many drivers do not abide by the traffic regulations. When they approach this junction, the speed normally is quite high. So I would like to ask the Minister whether he has any intention to set up traffic lights at this junction?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, a traffic census has been taken and it has been discovered that traffic is heavy at this junction only between 7.00 a.m. and 8.15 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., and is negligible during the rest of the day. Also, the difficulty and congestion is the result of traffic making right turns at this junction.

To solve this problem, a traffic points man is on duty at the junction during peak hours. The road has been widened a little with a view to minimising long queues of vehicles. Also a left turning slipway has been provided which will reduce congestion at the junction.

The question of the installation of traffic lights at the junction is being studied.

Drivers of vehicles traversing this junction should be more careful when approaching it if they wish to avoid accidents. The National Safety First Council has been conducting campaigns on safety on the roads and expects members of the public to be more receptive to ideas of safety.