YIO CHU KANG ROAD (ROAD ACCIDENTS)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Home Affairs (i) the total number of road accidents at Yio Chu Kang Road for each of the years 1979,1980 and 1981; (ii) the number of lives lost in the accidents; and (iii) the measures that have been and will be taken to reduce the number of accidents.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: The accident figures along Yio Chu Kang Road are set out in the table below: Yio Chu Kang Road Accident Analysis No. of Accidents Year Fatal Serious Slight Total No. of Lives Lost 1979 5 22 90 117 5 1980 3 13 82 98 3 1981 3 11 111 125 3

The figures indicate that while the number of accidents has increased, the increase consists largely of accidents resulting in slight or no injuries. Enforcement action, coupled with an ongoing road safety education programme, has been and will continue to be taken to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. Yio Chu Kang Road is targeted as a special beat area for patrols by the Traffic Police. Apart from routine patrols, a number of special operations have been mounted along this road by the Traffic Police as follows: a Speed Check Operations Year No. of Operations Results 1979 8 106 bookings 1980 29 423 bookings 1981 66 1,787 bookings b Anti-Hellriders Operations Since 7th July, 1981, operations against hell-riders have been mounted every Saturday and eve of holidays with the following results: (1) 45 motorcycles were impounded for ROV inspection for illegal modifications and engine faults. (2) 8 arrests were made for dangerous driving. (3) 1 arrest was made for rash riding under the Penal Code.

The Public Works Department has also been widening Yio Chu Kang Road in stages. Such road improvements are vital in order to reduce the accident rate. The PWD road widening programme over the last few years was as follows:

1979. Widening of Yio Chu Kang Road from Sembawang Hills Circus to Track 24.

1980. Realignment of Yio Chu Kang Road from Track 24 to Lorong Lentor.

1981. Realignment of Yio Chu Kang Road from Lorong Lentor to Jalan Kayu.

For 1982, PWD has a scheme for widening Yio Chu Kang Road from Upper Thomson Road to Jalan Kayu, and a scheme for widening of Yio Chu Kang Road from Jalan Kayu to Plantation Avenue.

In addition, 5 traffic lights and 2 signalised pedestrian crossings have been installed along Yio Chu Kang Road since 1979. A traffic light at its junction with Chuan Hoe Avenue will be installed later this year.