'Singaporeans Are Bad Drivers'? We Put It To The Test | Talking Point | Full Episode

Singapore saw a 27% increase in traffic accident in recent years. Authorities say the cause of accidents includes motorists failing to keep a proper look out and changing lanes carelessly. Through driving tests and group discussions, host Steven Chia investigates if our bad driving is due to bad attitudes on the road or a lack of driving skills.

Steve takes a driving test alongside other experienced drivers, including hosts of The Daily Ketchup, Jonathan and Daniel. Will they still be able to pass the test if they tried for their license today? We also uncover why there are gender stereotypes when it comes to driving, with the help of our Talking Point hosts. Are they true? And who amongst them is the best driver?

00:00 Introduction: Is Steve a good driver?
02:08 We catch bad road behaviour
04:53 Does the colour of your car matter?
06:51 Narrowly avoiding an accident
07:20 Hosts share their worst driving habits
08:07 Are Singaporeans really the "worst" drivers?
10:56 The Daily Ketchup hosts and Steve take a driving test
13:45 Struggling to parallel park
15:49 Are PHV and taxi drivers really Singapore's worst?
20:15 Are women bad drivers?
21:41 Race car couple tell us who drives better
23:55 Do their kids know who drives better?
25:30 Men vs women: will Shrey or Munah drive better?
29:11 Who got into more accidents during the simulation?
31:44 Who passed the driving test?
35:06 Should experienced drivers take refresher courses?
36:08 Steve takes a defensive driving course
38:57 How many mistakes did Steve make?

About the show:
Talking Point investigates a current issue or event, offering different perspectives to local stories and revealing how it all affects you.
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[liylo]

People, including drivers, are becoming more impatient and fickle-minded than in the past. This trend can be attributed to the rapid advancements in technology, which have sped up the pace of life and heightened expectations for instant gratification. When obstacles arise, we often lack the basic courtesy to accommodate others, yet we expect others to accommodate us. These attitudes have become increasingly apparent when comparing behaviors across different decades.

[markkoh]

Worst drivers are those who do not plan their route before starting the engine. They will either drive very slow or switch lane abruptly.

[konkeydong]

Simple answer is: yes. Yes we are. I strongly believe many drivers are misinformed in how a modern car can perform or how it should be maintained. Not only that, a lot of drivers just dont have situational awareness on the roads. Couple that with drivers who have inflated egos or drivers that speed up and not let you cut into the lane when you signal. I driven plenty in other countries before and Singapore is just so tiring to drive in, purely from dealing with other drivers on the roads.

[changclc]

When you want to filter to another lane, do it safely, not causing the other car to brake

[blegys]

I have noticed that most of the bad drivers are the ones who have the sun shade on whilst driving

[techboy]

Road courtesy in SG is non-existent, the most obvious example will be merging lane.
Merging lane wise you have to filter and give way to other cars than everyone can merge.
But in SG road culture context merging lane became a game of racing.
Drivers won't signal but will speed up just to block you from merging.
CNA can do a documentary in industrial area like Tuas, be mentally prepare and have adequate sleep.
As driving in industrial area, commerical vehicles are the worst lot of drivers.
Some drive the vehicle whether van, lorry, cement mixer truck etc. like F1.
When Heavy vehicle filter into another lane without signalling.
If you are not paying attention, you may end up in the vehicle blindspot
and accident will happen.
Not only road users are affected by bad drivers, pedestrain also.
Some drivers don't have the courtesy or patience to wait for pedestrain to cross.
Whether controlled pedestrain crossing or not, some driver don't give a hoot just
drive through.
Almost everyday there bound to accident, some accident TBH can be avoidable if driver
either give way or don't speed.
There opt to be tougher stance like if a driver hit someone than his/her license must be suspended.
Go back to driving center and retest whether the person can drive or not.
However if a driver kills someone than he/she must be barred from driving.
Reason is that the person mindset is egocentric thus not suitable to drive on SG road.
When you drive and you put your own interest as well as treat driving like a racing game.
You are not fit to drive on SG roads.

[terence]

The extreme right lane (lane 1) is for over-taking. You'll have to give way to cars that are faster even if you are driving at the stipulated speed limit.

[TheSunMoon]

A lot of both; lack of skills and big attitude problem. And you haven't see them lorries and vans speeding, especially at AYE in the west side (some even with P-plate). No road courtesy, almost always road hazard to other road users. TP and LTA should consider putting a speed camera there, along JT Hall.

[mcq]

Of course it’s the attitude…
1. We don’t signal when changing lanes because the fella behind will speed up if we do
2. Most of the time we are “changing lanes” because we didn’t join the queue e.g. on a crowded right-turn only lane or any entrance into the KPE
3. It’s ok to flout the rules so long as you don’t get caught
4. It’s ok to change lanes abruptly because I’m late for something really important e.g. school/work etc. (i.e. my time is more precious than yours)
5. Hey that car cut into my lane! I’m going to speed up and overtake him back and show him a rude gesture because people who speed are dangerous and irresponsible!

Rings a bell?

[Cedricchoy]

There seems to be a deeply ingrained mindset that signalling indicates the right to turn instead of an intention to turn. The onus is on the turning vehicle to do it in time and do the necessary blind spot check. Accidents happen or vehicles get horn because some of these drivers have predisposed idea that the moment they signall to turn, the road must stop for them to turn. Graciousness is about showing your intention timely and having the patience to execute the turn.

[ReviewMedic]

MAJOR POINT TO REDUCE JAM, MAINTAIN YOUR DARN DISTANCE, close up so much then press brake again and again for what, just let the car roll, maintain your distance. HELP

[agustin]

This is one of the more amusing and relatable reports. It's great.

[Paul-H-Wolfram]

Frankly, most of the PHV drivers are the worst drivers on the roads, they cut in to your lane without on the blinker and usually most of them speed to get to the destination so that they can quickly get to pick another customer on their apps.

[GMDN]

right lane is for overtaking lah. stop hogging the right lane at speed limit, it's still road hogging

[yukisnoww]

I think it's both, but more attitude tbh. Skill can improve, attitude a little harder... I am similar to Yuey in terms of patience, safety distance and leaving space for other drivers, partly cause I've driven class 4 and oversized vehicles. Really, fast also go nowhere, at most a few minutes, not worth endangering the car, or your passengers.

[GH_HellBringer]

23:55 Daddy drive's a Rolls Royce, kids. He isn't going to be a speed demon in that thing. Plus, no sane person is gonna fck around and find out by getting into an accident with a RR.

[bennynunb]

i often see bus driver being cut by other cars due to their speed too slow and causing the bus captain to sudden brake, when bus captain horn them cause of their dangerous act they pointed middle finger i really feel bus captain should be respected

[gnzv]

It's a Singapore thing. Bizarre accidents reported daily. Totally bizarre ones.

[dadade]

lol claire is such a hypocrite. a very dangerous road user.

saw her on the road a few times before, always changing lanes and cutting people off without signalling. the cars behind had to jam brake cos she was trying to force her way in.

not to mention the time she got into an accident as a cyclist when she swerved in front of a car suddenly.

[reu]

The real culprit for bad driving in SG is EGO, narrow vision or plain stupidity (inability to assess the immediate surroundings and react accordingly).

I fully agree with the comments about implementing harsher penalties (lifetime revoking of licence; relegated to off-peak car scheme, etc) on ppl who CAUSE accidents, especially on expressways where roads are basically straight and forward vision is clear most of the time.