S1E44: Singapore’s worsening road culture: What’s behind it and what can be done?

The tension between drivers and motorcyclists in Singapore is longstanding, ugly and increasingly a fatality risk - but what lies at the root of this strained relationship?  Synopsis: Every second Monday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 54 people within the first four months of 2024.  Motorcyclists and pillion riders accounted for more than half those deaths - a trend that continues from the previous year.  With traffic accident fatalities in 2023 at an all time high since 2016, it’s time to ask what can be done to make Singapore’s roads safer.  In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and co-host and STNow reporter Christie Chiu speak with their two guests to find out if Singapore’s roads are truly as hostile as these numbers depict, and what factors are driving it.  On the road for at least six hours a day with aspiring motorists, Aman Aljunied is an experienced motorbike and car instructor who previously taught at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre for nearly 40 years.  Joining the discussion is Dennis Quah, who heads the Singapore chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners’ Group, a motorcycle club renowned for its safe riding practices. When he’s not riding motorcycles, Dennis drives on a daily basis.  Highlights (click/tap above): 1:59 Is Singapore’s road culture uglier than other South-east Asian countries? How the effects of a high-pressure society bleed into our roads 7:54 “High cost of these toys called cars”: Are the stark differences in COE and ERP fees a main factor of hostility between motorcyclists and drivers? 11:40 The pros and cons of social media as a tool to circulate footage of road incidents  18:29 Why Aman thinks Basic Theory Course lessons should go back to in-person classes 24:03 Dennis and Aman on why speeding up, does not actually save motorists much time 37:04 The human touch that has been lost on Singapore’s roads Produced by: Christie Chiu (christiec@sph.com.sg), Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis & Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Hadyu Rahim  Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Read Christie Chiu’s article’s: https://str.sg/3ESxU --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.