Traffic lights at Newton Circus improve safety but worsen congestion, some drivers say

SINGAPORE — It is one of the busiest roundabouts in Singapore, and Newton Circus is also one of the few that have signalised traffic lights to manage traffic.

But some motorists interviewed by TODAY on Wednesday (Feb 13) were not too excited upon hearing that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) could possibly install more traffic signals in the area, in an effort to further improve road safety. They were concerned that it could lead to further congestion.

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Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan had raised the possibility on Monday, in his response to Mr Melvin Yong, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), who had brought up the issue of safety in the area.

Mr Yong told TODAY that residents in his constituency had witnessed “many near misses and sometimes minor accidents”.

TODAY spoke to 10 drivers and most acknowledged that the existing traffic lights have made Newton Circus safer and helped drivers who were new to roundabouts.

“Beginners might not know where to stop to give way and where to turn, so these traffic lights are especially helpful,” said lorry driver Mark Aquino, 39, who passes by Newton Circus about once a week.

Grab driver Chua Hock Chuan, 55, said: “Some people don’t want to give way, but with traffic lights, people have no choice but to stop, so the other drivers can go first.”

But some drivers pointed out that having traffic lights at a roundabout worsens the problem of congestion.

“It’s very odd. When there is a circus, the purpose is to regulate traffic. Now with all the traffic lights, it means you’re controlling the traffic,” said Ronnie Ho, 73. “One end will get stuck while the other end will move. That’s bad.”

The retiree drives his grandson to and from Anglo Chinese School (Junior), which is near Newton Circus, every day. “It’s chaotic, very chaotic,” he added.

WHY NOT CONVERT IT TO A REGULAR TRAFFIC JUNCTION?

Other motorists said that it remains difficult to navigate the roundabout, especially for motorcyclists.

Certis Cisco delivery man Salihim Gani, a motorcyclist who has met with “over 10” occasions of near-accidents, said that traffic lights should also be installed on adjoining lanes with less traffic.

“They need to put more traffic lights there if they’re doing this traffic-light thing. Not all of the entrances and exits have one, and some drivers almost killed me a few times,” said the 27-year-old.

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Accounts manager Shirley Lim, 35, suggested removing the roundabout, saying: “At this point if you add more traffic lights, how is it different from a traffic junction? Why not just convert it entirely to one then?

“If there is historical value to it, perhaps LTA could add another flyover and maintain the circus as some heritage structure below.”

For customs enforcement officer Shamil Saripin, the issue is more about Singaporeans’ “roundabout etiquette”.

“How all of us understand what’s the proper way to manoeuvre, where to be, how to form up at the lane, which is the correct lane — if everyone knows this, then I think it will be a nice progress, regardless of whether there are traffic lights or not,” said the 30-year-old who alternates between driving a car and riding a bike.

Motorists also face pressure from others in the circus when exiting.

“Car drivers behind you may think it’s good to go, but for you, it’s not,” Mr Shamil said.

“Everyone is in a rush. And if you move too slow, they honk at you and you’re stressed. That’s the problem.”

In response to TODAY’s queries, LTA said on Thursday (Feb 14) that it is still conducting roadworks at Newton Circus and its vicinity “to further improve safety and traffic capacity of the network”.

“These include additional traffic signals so that vehicles entering the roundabout will have their own traffic phase and U-turn facilities at approaching roads to reduce the number of vehicles using the roundabout,” the authority said.

It added that it had implemented several measures to improve road safety at Newton Circus since 2012, such as painting arrow markings within the roundabout to instil motorists’ lane discipline, and installing signs that remind motorists to give way and watch out for oncoming traffic. Traffic-light poles were also relocated within the roundabout so as to better regulate traffic movement.