An alarming video of a car getting T-boned by a bus was caught on a dashboard camera, serving as a reminder to all motorists to practise extra caution when on the road.
“Discretionary right turn accident, bus t-bones into car who decided to try his luck,” wrote Facebook page ROADS.sg of an accident on Friday (Apr 29).
The attached video showed a Hyundai making a right turn at a junction.
At the same time, an SBS Transit bus from the opposite lane was passing.
Neither the sedan nor the bus had enough time to stop to avoid a collision, the bus t-boning the Hyundai.
Although the accident happened in 2018, based on the video time stamp, the issue of discretionary turns remains.
Earlier this year, a BMW was caught on camera failing to give way to a pedestrian while making a discretionary right turn near Kembangan MRT, causing the individual to fall to the ground.
Following two fatal accidents in 2018 involving road users and discretionary right turns at junctions, several campaigns to abolish this system have been started.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) previously announced that it would scrap discretionary right turns at 1,200 out of the total 1,600 traffic junctions in Singapore by 2023.
Meanwhile, netizens commented on ROADS.sg’s post, noting that both the Hyundai and bus drivers should have practised defensive driving.
“A bus is a heavy vehicle and needs time to stop. You cannot expect it to brake for you – it must not do a sudden emergency brake unless it wants to throw people on the floor and break their necks,” said Facebook user Fatima D’Almeida, referring to the Hyundai driver.
“Bus drivers should be taught defensive driving. When so many cars turn, even he has the right of way, slow down!” said Facebook user Wye Men.
“Abolish all the discretionary right turn in Singapore. Turn only on a green arrow. Not difficult to implement,” added netizen Alan Leong. /TISG
Pedestrian falls down after getting hit by car making discretionary right turn near Kembangan MRT
Another accident involving a discretionary turn:
Caught on cam: Car moving at high speed against flow of traffic