Pedestrian Right of Way

[BigSis]

Does anyone have a copy of the Singapore Highway Code who could tell me what the rules are for pedestrians and cyclists crossing minor roads and entrance/gateways?

I was in a cab earlier and the driver nearly ran into a guy on a bike who was cycling across my condo gateway as we went to turn in (the cyclist was part-way across when he started turning) and then the cabbie told me that he had right of way because he was in a car and it was bigger

I wish I'd asked him if that would make it OK if a bus ran over his car........but I was distracted by my own thoughts at that point

[nakatago]

Actually, they also do it on pedestrians on zebra crossings with the green light FOR pedestrians.

True story.

[JR8]

If SG follows UK law in this respect the pedestrian has right of way over everyone else (cyclists, horses, cars, trucks, buses). Cyclists have rights over everyone bar pedestrians etc...


edit to add: This means that (in the UK) a pedestrian can cross a road anywhere at their whim and it is the responsibility of car drivers to avoid him. This is not a right that you hear being publicised as presumably it would lead to chaos. Mind you.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_street

[aster]

Actually, they also do it on pedestrians on zebra crossings with the green light FOR pedestrians.

True story.

Some expat lady in an SUV almost ran me over just behind Orchard when I was crossing on a green light, so even some of our folks are taking the term "try to fit in" a bit too seriously...

[zzm9980]

If SG follows UK law in this respect the pedestrian has right of way over everyone else (cyclists, horses, cars, trucks, buses). Cyclists have rights over everyone bar pedestrians etc...


edit to add: This means that (in the UK) a pedestrian can cross a road anywhere at their whim and it is the responsibility of car drivers to avoid him. This is not a right that you hear being publicised as presumably it would lead to chaos. Mind you.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_street

Same in California. You can be ticketed even if you don't come to a complete stop for a pedestrian there. Now, the pedestrian can still be ticketed for illegal jaywalking though, and in quite a few towns they do just that to discourage pedestrians abusing the previous law.

[JR8]

Same in California. You can be ticketed even if you don't come to a complete stop for a pedestrian there. Now, the pedestrian can still be ticketed for illegal jaywalking though, and in quite a few towns they do just that to discourage pedestrians abusing the previous law.

It always struck me (Tri-state commuter belt) that 'you lot' (:P) drive like nervous grannies in town, and absolute deathwish maniacs on the highways. Perhaps what you say explains the former!

[BigSis]

Some of Singapore's laws are quite similar to the UK's so I did wonder if they had the same right of way for people crossing minor roads and entrance ways - in the UK the person crossing is in the right if they were already crossing when the car started to turn in - this was the case here.

However, I have to add that the guy on the bike had been on the pavement prior to crossing the condo gateway, but in anyone's highway code that still shouldn't give any driver the right to mow him down

[JR8]

There's a good reason for the similarity


-------
'The legal system of Singapore is based on the English common law system....

Apart from referring to relevant Singaporean cases, judges continue to refer to English case law where the issues pertain to a traditional common-law area of law, or involve the interpretation of Singaporean statutes based on English enactments or English statutes applicable in Singapore.
--------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_law

[Saint]

Many drivers in Singapore believe that because pedestrians and cyclist do not pay vehicle tax that car drivers have complete right of way because they have to pay tax. I've witnessed this first hand as a cyclist and a pedestrian!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Heck, the even write into the papers saying the same thing. If bike or pedestrians don't pay road tax they shouldn't be on the roads. Of course they drive the same way as well......I pay road tax therefore I can drive anywhere anyhow!

[x9200]

If you watch the local traffic closely for how the drivers behave towards pedestrians you will see that the only safe spot for pedestrians is a zebra crossing with the yellow pole lamps (or signs). This is the only place they clearly give the way to pedestrians probably meaning this is the only place where running over somebody made the driver penalized.

Highway code:
highway code

Safety of Pedestrians
77. Pedestrians have the right of way on pedestrian crossings.
78. When approaching a pedestrian crossing slow down and do not overtake other vehicles.
79. When approaching a pedestrian crossing always —
(a)
be ready to slow down or stop so as to give way to pedestrians;
(b)
signal to other drivers your intention to slow down or stop; and
(c)
allow yourself more time to stop when road is wet.
80. At a pedestrian crossing controlled by light signals or by a policeman, give way to pedestrians who are crossing when the signal to stop is given.
81. When a school patrol sign is extended at a pedestrian crossing, vehicles travelling in both directions must stop and remain stationary until the whole crossing is clear and the sign has been removed.
82. Watch for the pedestrian who comes out suddenly from behind stationary vehicles and other obstructions. Be very careful near schools and bus stops. When turning at a road junction, give way to pedestrians who are crossing.
83. On rural roads watch out for pedestrians and give them plenty of room.

That's all I found.

[zzm9980]

I'm being lazy and copying and pasting something else I just posted in another thread:

And as both a cyclist and a driver for one-week, I understand why they're hostile.

In that week I've been driving here (and I don't drive much), I've seen:

- Two times had to slow down and change lanes to avoid old uncles on bicycles cycling the wrong way towards me in my lane on a busy street.

- One time had to completely stop (no where to go) and lay on the horn because of a younger (teens?) girl riding her bicycle very slowly and wobbly, again the wrong way on the road towards me in my lane. All while staring down at her iPhone with earphones in.

Even the cows on the roads in India have more sense than some local cyclists.

It doesn't justify the attitude, but it does help explain it.

[nakatago]

I'm being lazy and copying and pasting something else I just posted in another thread:

And as both a cyclist and a driver for one-week, I understand why they're hostile.

In that week I've been driving here (and I don't drive much), I've seen:

- Two times had to slow down and change lanes to avoid old uncles on bicycles cycling the wrong way towards me in my lane on a busy street.

- One time had to completely stop (no where to go) and lay on the horn because of a younger (teens?) girl riding her bicycle very slowly and wobbly, again the wrong way on the road towards me in my lane. All while staring down at her iPhone with earphones in.

Even the cows on the roads in India have more sense than some local cyclists.

It doesn't justify the attitude, but it does help explain it.

I'm guessing this stems from the same lack of spatial awareness with walking as well.

They'll probably drive the same way if it weren't for the exam to get a driver's license.

[ecureilx]

....

Singapore closely follows the UK Highway code, which, roughly implies that a bicycle must give way to pedestrians, a motorbike must give way to the cyclist and the pedestrian .. and on and on ..

At the then Traffic police in Maxwell road, when I was filing my prang with another car, I was reminded that regardless who was right or wrong, if I run down a pedestrian, pedestrian crossing or not, my license will be suspended, by default, for reckless driving ..

And should it be suspended, I can get it back, if the judge feels otherwise ..

[x9200]

I am sorry ecureilx but I rather relay on the Statutes than your impressions and believes and unconditional suspension of DL regardless the facts that may be even witnessed by a policemen himself sounds like nothing but BS. Contradicting your opinion I know first hand a story from one NUS prof, Singaporean, who, after few years of residing in Australia came back to Singapore, crossed a road outside a crossing and got run down by a cabbie. The policeman told him that roads are not for pedestrians.