I have studied in Singapore for almost 2.25 years now and from the time I spend in Singapore, I noticed that people in Singapore strictly follow rules. This may not be interesting for some but for me who came from my little island, Penang, it is definitely a new cultural experience.
For example, in Singapore, when you use the zebra-crossing to cross the road, cars actually STOP for you! Also I noticed that most people in Singapore do not bother to look both ways when they use the zebra-crossing and just walk across casually even if there were incoming cars.
I find this very intriguing as back in Penang if you were to just walk casually across a zebra-crossing you would get cars zooming pass in front of you or worst, a car coming to a screeching stop right next to you with the driver yelling some curse words which contains a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indian curses. Sure you could wait for the cars to stop for you before crossing the road but I guess you would be waiting for a looooooooooooooooooooong time before that happens.
This reminds me of a group of tourist (probably Singaporean) that I met who were trying to cross a busy road to a mall. They were using a zebra-crossing and tried to walk across when they were blasted by a horn of a car which came to a screeching stop to avoid colliding with them. Shocked, they jumped back onto the pavement with a furious and puzzled look among each other and the car just drove by. I made eye contact with them and with a smile and a shrug led them using the “correct way” to cross the road. That is to look for cars on one side of the road (it was a two way road) and walk across while there is a gap in the traffic and stand on the dividing line (as cars zoom pass you on both your front and back) to wait for yet another gap in the traffic to finally get to the other side.
I related this story to my friends from India once and they stated that the condition is similar in India if not worst. I have seen several clips on the Indian traffic condition and I have to agree it IS worst. However with the high density of people in India, I guess it was unavoidable. Recently when I have been back to Penang, the government has built speed bumps which are close to zebra-crossings in order to slowdown the traffic to allow for safe pedestrian passage. If only they did it earlier so that the poor tourists did not have to undergo the near heart attack experience.
I do enjoy the proper road rules in Singapore, to be able to cross the road safely without worrying that you could be rammed over by a speeding truck and become road kill does give an ease of mind. Not to mention that I feel "important" to an extend when cars stop for me to walk across the road.
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Hello Junyen,
Don't you think the zebra-crossing in NUS is a bit useless? I realise the cars especially the shuttle buses DO NOT stop! There was once I was already crossing half way the zebra crossing from COM building and the shuttle bus just drove past right infront of me without stopping! Am I so short that the driver could not see me? hahaha.
Actually, to be honest, I am one who does not look left and right when crossing the zebra crossing. This is because I always have the mentality that it is only right for the vehicles to stop and if there were to have an accident, I am definitely not in the wrong. You may find me very weird. That's how all my friends felt. They would always scold me "Hello, can you please look out for cars?" I would just say "Zebra crossing leh!!" However, since the incident with the shuttle bus, I would always look left and right when crossing the zebra crossing in NUS.
Thanks for the post, Jun Yen. Yes, I agree that it's nice having "rules" like those for pedestrians and for drivers. It certainnly helps the place function smoothly and it ensures greater safety. My question is, why is it so different in Penang? Both Singapore and Penang are isalnds with the same colonial history, the same multiethnic population, thje same climate.
What makes the rules followed in one place and not in another?
Hi Jun Yen,
I can tell you, the traffic situation is a lot worse in China - at least the cities I've been to. Don't expect the cars to stop for you. If anyone wants to wait to cross the road, he can probably wait his whole life. The traffic and people there function in a weird way, at least to my family and I. The people cross the road without actually bothering much about the cars, despite there being A LOT of cars. They can just cross without looking and safely reach their destination, amazing huh? Another thing about the traffic there is that the car must be honked many times along the drive. I guessed it was because they need to honk to warn the driver in front that they are overtaking. In Singapore, honk is often used as a warning to others but it is seldom used as a signal to overtake.
All these show how different cultures can be, even in the situation of the road traffic.
Hi Junyen,
The situation is the same in Myanmar. I was really suprised when I saw cars actually stopped infront of me when I was waiting to cross the pedestrains in Singapore, it was a few years ago when I just reached singapore.
I like those rules generally, afterall we are all road users.
Dear Jun Yen,
When I was in India, I had my first F1 racing experience. Imagine 6 guys crammed into a car the size of a 'Kancil' (its a Malaysian made mini car for city use) zooming around the village roads at full speed. Forget about zebra crossing, we were driving on the pavements, the opposite lane, gardens and whatever empty space we can squeeze into. The only safety measure was to announce our arrival with a long horn blast before navigating each 90 degree bends. In conclusion, keep your eyes open as well when trying to cross the street in India.
Hi Pei Rong,
Haha i do agree that the zebra crossing in NUS is useless, but in a different sense. I am sure u notice, more then 50% of the students don't use the zebra crossing on the road. they just choose to ignore it and walk cross. well maybe this is possible since there are not much car on the campus roads. It is always to look left and right before crossing ANY road, zebra or no zebra :P.
Hi Brad,
Hmm the reason to that might be mostly the culture... and the law system? From what I have heard from my friends (need further confirmation) the laws in Singapore favors more towards the pedaestrian? also the system of zebra crossings and pedestrian lights are much better implemented in Singapore. This has mostly came to since the government highly promote using public transport and walking then driving your own vehicle.
However if you were in Penang, there is hardly much public transports and most of the time when people cross the road is because there are no more parking space on the other side of the road. Most of the time people would just drive towards their destination and park nearby so there isn't much need for the pedestrian facilities... in the pass that is. ;)
Public transport is currently being improved in Penang(about time they do it) starting with the bus services and the future LRT system. It's far from being successful, bus stops still look as barren as Sahara Desert but it's a start. Maybe sometime soon in future (before I become a pile of ash) we have a proper system like Singapore :) (except the insanely high cost for owning a vehicle)
Hi Angeline.
Wow I did not expect that in China though. You always get to see proper traffic in those Chinese movies and dramas (besides the acting part when the police and thief jump around on vehicles). This certainly is interesting. I guess in order to drive safely in a place, not only do you have to learn the road signs and law, but also the unspoken rules and signals. Could you imagine yourself driving there? I could, I would be looking dumb as cars honk and pass me while throwing foul languages as I give the Huh? look.
Hi Sammy
Yeah i had the same impression too. I thought, wow Singaporeans are really nice to stop and let you cross the road. Then my Singaporean friends pop that bubble by telling me it's a law that cars must stop to allow pedestrian to cross. Can someone confirm whether is there a fine imposed? Please and thank you :). Since Sg has be very well known to be a "Fine" country.
Hi Yu Ming
Well I have saw videos of the traffic in India but none of it were on fast moving vehicles. Most of the time are normal moving but chaotic system where there is no "lane" that exist and everyone just squeeze through whatever space there is. If the only system was to blast your horn as you turn... this partly explains the high death rate in India. =S
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