SG: Accident rates reduced

Injuries and fatalities as a result of road traffic accidents have been reduced to under 6,000 cases in the first 11 months of 2013, less than the 6,612 of 2012. Although road safety has been improved tremendously, there are still a number of accidents that involve young children while they are on the road. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Saturday that "Every life lost is a tragic loss” and added that most of the accidents “can be prevented" He made all the comments after new traffic rules were launched in school zones, which involves new road markings, road humps, dividers and a lowered speed limit. Under the new regulations, should one be caught for committing offences such as careless or inconsiderate driving, beating the red light or exceeding the speed limit  in a school zone, they will be given an extra demerit point on top of the existing penalties.