CONVERSION OF ZEBRA CROSSINGS INTO PUSH-BUTTON PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications whether the Land Transport Authority will convert zebra crossings into push-button pedestrian crossings for greater road safety.

The Minister of State for Communications (Mr Goh Chee Wee) (for the Minister for Communications): Zebra crossings and push- button crossings are designed to suit different types of roads and traffic and pedestrian volumes. For roads with heavy traffic and pedestrian volumes, push-button pedestrian crossings are more appropriate. At such crossings, push buttons enable pedestrian demand to be recorded, and pedestrians can only cross when a "green man" is displayed. This arrangement enables pedestrians to cross safely while minimising delays to motorists.

For local access roads with light traffic, zebra crossings are more suitable as they cause minimum inconvenience to both pedestrians and motorists. Pedestrians cross when they see it is safe to do so, while motorists are given advance warning to slow down by road signs. Transverse stripes along the approaches to the crossings slow down traffic and light beacons are installed to make the crossings more conspicuous.

So both types of crossings are safe when installed and used as designed. The Land Transport Authority will monitor the usage of such crossings and make conversions where appropriate, eg, where traffic and pedestrian volumes have increased.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, may I ask the Minister of State whether, as an immediate measure, certain prominent pre-warning signs like "Stop", "Look", "Walk", could be installed at the zebra crossings as a guide to pedestrians using these crossings?

Mr Goh Chee Wee: We will certainly take into consideration the suggestion by the Member to help the pedestrians. I think we have to keep on educating the pedestrians on the proper use of zebra crossings.