Less patient, more reckless: Why motorbike-linked deaths are rising

Slower traffic as vehicle numbers grow has led to poorer road behaviour, say experts

Christie Chiu Every time motorcyclist Carlos Karve, 24, chances upon an accident involving a motorbike, he asks himself the same question.

The engineering undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) said he is prepared to take the risk of getting on a twowheeler now, but the sight of a bike on the ground at an accident scene makes him wonder if he will sing the same tune as he gets older.

He said: "Obviously, I ask myself: Do I want to keep riding bikes?" Mr Karve has good reason to question his decision to ride a motorcycle.

In 2023, motorcyclist and pillion rider fatalities spiked by 44.7 per cent, claiming a total of 68 lives, according to latest figures issued by the police.

Although motorcycles make up less than 15 per cent of Singapore's total vehicle population, motorcyclists and pillion riders were involved in more than half of all traffic accidents in 2023.

They also accounted for half of all fatalities in road accidents.

All in, 4,290 motorcycle and pillion riders were injured in accidents in 2023, which means about 12 people are involved in motorcycle-related accidents each day.

The Sunday Times spoke to experts, motorists and motorcyclists about the hazards that can crop up on Singapore's roads and the reasons behind injuries and deaths linked to motorcycle accidents.

VEHICLE NUMBERS UP

One contributing factor for the rise in motorcycle-linked accidents, injuries and fatalities is the explosion in vehicle numbers in recent years, which has led to more congestion and conflict on roads, said experts.

The total population of cars and station wagons increased by nearly 21,000 vehicles from 2019 to 2023, according to latest figures released by the Land Transport Authority.

Motorcycle and scooter numbers also grew by more than 3,000 units during the same period.