Singapore is becoming an ageing society, as more and more elderlies go on to the streets, a whole new level of road safety have to be implemented to ensure that they are aware and be safe on the roads.

Elderly are drivers and also pedestrians, with the usage of Personal Mobile Devices getting common in Singapore, more and more elderly are seen on the streets with motorised wheel chairs, scooters and also bicycle.

Be careful when crossing the road

For the Elderly Drivers

Older adults can take several steps to stay safe on the road, including:

• Exercising regularly to increase strength, flexibility and memory.  Most of the elderly face problems like amnesia, dementia and also problems with coordinating their body.  Doing regular exercise can help them to improve their memory and also be more agile and less prone to accidents and injury.
• Ensure that any medication that the elderly is taking does not impair his judgement on the roads.  Make sure that they do not drive around intoxicated or in a state of blur after taking some medicine that can cause drowsiness.
• Having eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. Wear glasses and corrective lenses as required.
• Driving during daylight and in good weather.  Elderly with poor eyesight can impair their driving abilities on the roads, this is especially so at night.  Make sure that they drive only in the day and preferably non peak hours.
• Finding the safest route with well-lit streets, intersections with left turn arrows, and easy parking.
• Planning your route before you drive.  Make sure that they know the roads well before they set off and that they are in good condition to drive.
• Leaving a large following distance behind the car in front of you.
• Try not to listen to loud music or be distracted while on the roads.  DO not use HANDPHONES or other equipment while they are driving.
• Considering potential alternatives to driving, such as riding with a friend or using public transit, that you can use to get around.  Uber is a good choice too.

Elderly Pedestrians

Many elderly do not like to use the underpass or the overhead bridges, reason being that these safety enhancements are not very accessible for some of them especially those with stairs.  Most of the elderly are immobile and find it difficult to go up the stairs to cross the road.

• Do not Jaywalk: The most important thing is to ensure that they do not Jay walk.  Many of the elderly meet with accidents while trying to cross the road jay walking.  That can pose a lot of danger especially if the roads are always full of speeders.
• Walk on the Pedestrian walk way:  Do not use the main road when walking, keep to the pedestrian walk way always.  Make sure that the elderly keep to the left side if they are walking slowly.
• Wear bright colours at night:  Do wear bright colour clothes while at night, this can help to alert other motorists while the elderly is walking.

Elderly PMD users

The PMD users have to follow new guidelines set by the LTA.  Besides these enhancements. Elderly PMD user can keep the following guidelines in mind to avoid unecessary accidents.

• Do not use PMD on darly lit areas without a spot light to indicate your presence.
• Keep the usage of PMD on familiar areas and road conditions which the elderly is very clear about.
• Try not to use the PMD for very far distances as it means more exposure to danger.
• Ensure that the device is not faulty, do not operate a faulty machine as it can cause more danger.

Always be alert when the elderly is alone on the roads.  If possible do get some one to accompany them to go out on the roads to ensure safety.