A video of a motorcyclist slamming into a vehicle that was giving way to a bus, sparked numerous comments from netizens to remove bus priority boxes. Facebook page ROADS.sg uploaded a video on Monday (May 9) of the accident along Woodlands Road.
“Toyota Vios stopped to give way to bus at the bus priority box and got rear-ended by motorcyclist,” said ROADS.sg.
The video clearly described the caption, with the motorcyclist unable to avoid a collision despite activating the brakes.
Many of the 200+ comments on the post were of netizens urging authorities to review the bus priority boxes.
“They should completely remove these bus priority boxes that has the right idea but just not practical,” said Facebook user Simon Tan in a comment with over 175 likes.
“I have seen at least three accidents so far where a car stops to give way for a bus, but the car behind fails to see the bus box and does not anticipate the car to stop suddenly, and accidents happen. Really bad design,” he added.
“The whole concept of a Bus Priority Box needs to be reviewed. Goes against the basic principle of vehicles going straight have the right of way. A dumb idea to start with,” said Facebook user Ky Eric in a comment with over 120 likes.
“Remove all these priority boxes and use the normal yellow box instead,” said Facebook user Jeff Yap, noting that buses “move off suddenly and drivers have to jam the brakes” in response.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has several initiatives to make buses a priority on roads, one of which is the bus priority box.
According to LTA, these boxes “allow buses to exit the bus bays with minimal delays. White markings with the word ‘Bus’ and a triangle indicate that there is a bus priority box just ahead.” /TISG