Make warning indicators compulsory on driverless vehicles

I refer to the report, “Trial area for driverless vehicles to be expanded to whole of western Singapore” (Oct 24).

For the safety of road users, has the Land Transport Authority (LTA) considered mandating the installation of warning indicators — by way of lights and alarms — on such vehicles?

These will serve as an early warning to others that a driverless vehicle is approaching and they should be extra careful when going near it.

Driverless MRT trains do not require such warning indicators because they operate on tracks without people nearby.

On the road, it is a different and highly urbanised environment with many categories of users amid an unpredictable climate.

It will be difficult for other road users to know that a driverless vehicle is plying the streets. What if an accident happens?

In factories, automated guided vehicles that move materials are usually equipped with flashing lights and alarms to warn workers nearby to stay clear.

Installing such warning indicators on all driverless vehicles will entail some costs, but there will be greater costs if an accident results in injury and loss of life.

I urge the authorities to be pro-active in considering these indicators as a road-safety feature.

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