Driving in Singapore roads

I witnessed a shocking and very close road accident on saturday. I was driving home after sending my son to his class and was behind this car that was turning into a small lane that I was also turning into. The car turned right into the small lane and I was about to follow it as it seemed safe to do so. Then, out of nowhere, a silver taxi appeared and crashed right into the left side of the car in front of me and sent it flying across the road, smashed into the traffic light and careened into the said small lane.

For that few seconds, the proverbial time stood still. I heard people screaming and saw people rushing to get a glimpse of the stunning accident that just took place. I froze behind my steering wheel and my mind went blank, until the car behind me honked for me to move. I drove slowly passed the wrecked car and the taxi, both badly damaged with smoke rising from the hoods. There were shattered pieces of glass and car parts on the roads. I saw that the driver of the car was a woman. She seemed ok because I saw her moved as if to remove her seat belt.

When I reached home, I immediately related the whole incident to my husband. We had a quarrel just before I left the house and I was determined not to speak to him when I return but this accident forced me to talk to him. I had to tell someone about my close encounter! I told him that that could have been me because, like the woman in the car, I failed to see the approaching taxi as well. There was another car on the lane nearer to us that was blocking the view. And the taxi was driving really fast, hence the great impact of the accident that left everyone stunned.

I guess the lady driver should have made sure that it was safe to proceed and not assume that all drivers are cautious even if she is not. In my last 3 years of driving, which is not a lot of experience but I do drive everyday, I feel that Singapore drivers are getting more and more reckless and impatient. They are also competitive and will try to prevent you from getting ahead of them. We are also dealing with a new breed of road rogues who disregard basic traffic rules such as red light and yellow boxes. They must think that they (1) have fantastic driving skills (2) are invincible (3) other drivers have good driving skills so will watch out for them.

When I am in a hurry, I tend to drive in an aggressive manner but I have since mellowed alot. Some of my colleagues used to be afraid to sit in my car because they feel I'm a fast and impatient driver, which admittedly I was and still am. I have tried to drive in a more leisurely manner but somehow the pace and pressure of the surrounding cars just push you along the road to a heightened heart rate and blood pressure. I hope the accident which I have witnessed will motivate me further to be a better driver. Afterall, reaching my destination a few minutes earlier won't necessarily enrich the quality of my life but being in a healthy state of mind certainly will.