The Singapore Road Safety Council (SRSC) and Traffic Police (TP), with support from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Lions Befrienders, launched the Road Safety for Seniors 2021 campaign on 16 July 2021.
Accidents involving elderly pedestrians remain a key concern as about half of the fatal accidents involving elderly pedestrians were due to jaywalking. Constant reminders are therefore necessary to encourage seniors to always use pedestrian crossings.
As part of the campaign, an online road safety programme was held for 33 seniors of the Lions Befrienders across nine Senior Activity Centres on 16 July 2021. The programme included a road safety talk by Mr Yeow Seng Yong, a MediaCorp Senior Producer-Presenter, who is also an Honorary Assistant Superintendent of Police with the Volunteer Special Constabulary. He reminded seniors to practise good road safety habits while using the roads. This was followed by a road safety skit and a sharing session on eye care for seniors by Mr Ken Tong, Chairman of the Singapore Optometric Association. The programme was recorded and will subsequently be shared on SRSC’s Facebook and YouTube pages. (Please refer to Annex A for the Event Launch Page)
SRSC, TP and LTA would also be distributing sling bags, lanyards, EZ-Link card holders, pocket tissues and pamphlets bearing road safety reminders, to the beneficiaries of Lions Befrienders. (Please refer to Annex B for a sample of the collaterals)
In collaboration with Sheng Siong Supermarket, road safety advisories will be displayed in their major supermarkets to remind shoppers to cross the roads responsibly by looking out for traffic before crossing the road. Road Safety banners will also be put up at strategic locations to encourage and remind seniors to cross the road safely by using pedestrian crossings. (Please refer to Annex C for the banner design)
Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said, “Seniors need to be responsible road users and be responsible for their actions. They must not jaywalk and must abide by all traffic laws to keep themselves and other road users safe. It is important for them to contribute to road safety in every little way they can.’’
“SRSC will continue to work with our partners and the community to reach out to as many seniors as we can, to constantly remind the seniors and other road users to practise good road safety habits by working together to keep our roads safe”, said Mr Bernard Tay, Chairman, SRSC.
SRSC and TP hope that the launch of the Road Safety for Seniors 2021 campaign will serve as a timely reminder to the seniors and their families to abide with all traffic rules to keep themselves safe. Commander of Traffic Police, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Gerald Lim said, “Seniors must play their part in keeping Singapore’s roads safe. This can be done by adopting good road safety habits and not taking unnecessary risks such as jaywalking – please use pedestrian crossings or overhead bridges to cross the roads.”
SRSC and TP will continue to educate and remind seniors to use the roads safely for the well-being of themselves and their families.
Annex A
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 July 2021 @ 12:00 PM