Sengkang residents worried over accident—prone junction

SINGAPORE: Residents in Sengkang are worried over an accident—prone junction and have asked their MP for help.

Mr Alan Goh Ngian Chye, a resident, said: "Within one month of 30 days, there have been two accidents. It’s very, very bad. Main problem here is speeding, and pedestrian crossing is too near to the main road.

"Especially in the evening time, people love to speed.

"From the block (where I stay), I can hear the sound of those cars and the motor bikes, especially in the night, with the speeding sound."

Mr Goh is referring to the junction between Sengkang East Drive and Sengkang East Way.

Another resident said she witnessed four accidents at the junction in a month some time back.

Even the MP for Punggol East, Mr Michael Palmer, said he had a near brush there recently.

"I actually was coming down Sengkang East Way. There was a car coming towards the KPE from Sengkang East Drive. The traffic lights were in my favour, but unfortunately he (the driver of the car)went through the red light on his side, missed my bumper by about 3, 4 feet," he said.

Mr Palmer said he has received some 10 complaints about the junction to date, from taxi drivers and members of his town council.

He said the junction is accident—prone because it is near the Kallang—Paya Lebar Expressway and cars tend to speed while coming off the expressway.

Mr Palmer said: "We’ve given consistent feedback for a few months now to the Traffic Police. They have told us that they are going to step up enforcement.

"Unfortunately I don’t think that is enough. I think on this stretch, some speed—curbing measures have to be taken, because you can’t expect the Traffic Police to be stationed at the overhead bridge.

"Something more permanent will have to be done. My grassroots leaders and I are hoping for a speed camera along this route. When people know it’s there, they will slow down."

— CNA/ir