Inconsiderate Drivers of the Week: Episode 18

(Photo Credit: ROADS.sg Facebook Page)

In this week’s episode of Inconsiderate Drivers of the Week, we feature a queue cutter, a possible insurance scammer and as a bonus, an extremely brave motorcyclist.

In this weekly feature, we'll be taking a look at drivers who were caught on camera for their inconsiderate and reckless driving. These drivers exhibit poor driving etiquette, and we hope you never emulate their behaviour on the roads.

1) Mercedes Driver Cuts a Long Queue on an Expressway

From young, we were taught in school that we need to queue up. Regardless of what that activity may be, as long as there is a crowd, we need to form up and wait our turn. Well, this Mercedes driver clearly has forgotten that habit.

In the video, we can see there is a long queue at an expressway exit. This Mercedes driver approaches from the right of the turnoff and squeezes into the queue, in front of the camera car. The camera car driver then had to take evasive actions to avoid contact.

2) Blue Suzuki Brakes Unnecessarily on Expressway, Causing Chain Collision

We all have heard about people causing accidents on purpose to defraud insurance carriers. While it is extremely unethical on their part, not to mention illegal, such acts also tend to also place others at risk.

In the video, we see a blue Suzuki driver braking on the right lane, on a relatively clear expressway, for no visible reason. That causes the white Nissan following the Suzuki to collide into it. The camera car driver couldn’t stop or swerve away in time, and ends up hitting the white Nissan at a considerable speed.

While the facts of the case are unclear, netizens were quick to accuse the blue Suzuki driver for potentially trying to scam the Nissan and camera car driver, along with the car’s insurance carrier by staging an unnecessary accident.

Regardless of whether that’s true, it’s a lesson for the rest of us to keep a safe distance from the car in front. If possible, we should also try to have an eye on the car(s) farther in front, and to practice defensive driving to avoid any possible incidents ahead.

3) Pokka Van Turns Left at a Traffic Junction from a Straight-Only Lane

In the video, we can see a Pokka Van waiting at a traffic junction on a straight-only lane. Just before the light turned green, instead of going straight as instructed, the van driver cuts in front of the camera car to turn left.

It’s quite obvious why the van driver shouldn’t have done that, holding up traffic and possibly causing an accident with another vehicle or pedestrian crossing the road. Please people, it’s Singapore, if you miss your turn, you certainly will have another opportunity to U-turn or make an alternative turn not far ahead.

4) Silver Car Drives on the Wrong Side of the Road in the Rain

It always amazes us, how drivers can end up driving on the wrong side of the road. Add rain into the mix and it’s can be a recipe for disaster.

In the video, we can see the camera vehicle driving on the left lane of a two lane, one-way road in the rain. Suddenly, we see a silver car driving on the other lane, the wrong way down the road. We hope that he at least manages to follow the traffic flow without causing any incident.

5) Nissan Qashqai Beats Red Light While Pedestrians Are Crossing the Road

Traffic lights exist for the simple reasons of regulating pedestrian crossings and traffic flow. If you don’t obey them, you are not only placing yourself at risk, but also pedestrians and/or other vehicles that have right of way.

In the video, we can see a red traffic light, and pedestrians crossing the road. Suddenly, a Nissan Qashqai just drives off while the light was still red. Worst still, there was a pedestrian approaching the Nissan when the driver sped off. Luckily, the pedestrian was alert and reacted in time.

Bonus: Motorcyclist Goes up on Pedestrian Pavement, Right in Front of Three Traffic Police Officers

We have seen it, a motorcyclist riding up or along a pedestrian pavement. They do it for various reasons, mostly for convenience's sake. We usually turn a blind eye to it, as long as they are riding in at a safe speed and manner. Regardless, they are still breaking traffic rules, and the group that definitely won’t turn a blind eye to it are the Traffic Police.

In the video, we can see that there has been an accident next to a traffic junction. Three Traffic Police Officers are already at the scene, with other motorists slowing down to take a look.

Since the traffic light was red, the camera car and the other motorists stopped at the junction to wait for the light to turn green, and to gawk at the incident and the Traffic Police Officers. All of a sudden, a motorcyclist is seen going up on the pedestrian platform at the junction.

Presumably, the motorcyclist changed his mind from going straight to turning left. He clearly must have done it plenty of times to not even care that there was a Traffic Police Officer standing at that exact pedestrian platform.

The Traffic Police Officer immediately signalled for the motorcyclist to return to his original post on the road. It is unclear whether the Traffic Police Officer booked the motorcyclist for this offence. But one thing is for sure, the contagious laughter from the people in the camera car quite simply summed up the situation for onlookers.

The purpose of this compilation isn’t to shame or expose these drivers, but to learn from their mistakes. In all honesty, the driving culture in Singapore leaves a lot to be desired. We lack basic road courtesy and we don’t mind causing inconveniences to other road users if it benefits us. We sometimes even put their lives at risks with our careless and nonchalant driving.

To improve our driving culture, we need to look ourselves in the mirror and learn to share our roads. Instead of treating fellow motorists as competition, we need to remember that every other road user is just like us—all they want is to reach their destination safely and on time.

Read more: Inconsiderate Drivers of the Week: Episode 17

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