SHE had started piano lessons at a music school in Punggol Plaza three weeks ago and was already showing a flair for the keys. But while on the way to her weekly class on Tuesday evening with her grandfather, a car ploughed into Zhao Lin Qian, killing the five-year-old instantly. The pair were believed to have been jaywalking across the two-lane Punggol Field Road at about 8pm when she was hit. There was a pedestrian crossing as well as an overheard bridge nearby, but they had not used either.

Source: ST

I believe the print copy reported that the grandfather was ‘enraged’.  The grandparents arrived from China and were helping to take care of the deceased.   It was his first time accompanying her to class and he did not know how to get there, so Lin Qian led the way.  Mr Zhao added: ‘The car was going very fast and it just hit her. What could I have done?’ 

Well, you could have gotten her to stick to the pavements.  Perhaps it’s normal to jaywalk in China and hence his outrage that a car could even hit his grand-daughter who was ‘merely’ jaywalking.

Now don’t get me wrong.  The driver is in the wrong, and I think the choice of his car doesn’t help him (he was driving a Subaru Impreza).  But no punishment meted out by the courts could ever compare with the anguish he is facing now and for the rest of his life.   And the life of this young 27-year old hangs in balance, a jail term could destroy his career and dreams.

Why can’t pedestrians stick to the pavements?  I once nearly knocked down a woman who was arguing with her partner at the road side.  She threw herself onto the road but fortunately her partner dragged her back on to the side.  Who protects me if I hit her?

Perhaps public education and fines are passe in this day and age.  What does the Traffice Police have to say?  According to the ST report, ”the Traffic Police reminded all pedestrians that they should use designated crossings.”  And “motorists should also be alert and anticipate sudden occurrences on the road, such as people darting out, and slow down or prepare to brake when necessary.”  Wow, that could work in utopia, I guess. 

Our millionaire Transport minister should think of better ways to keep our roads safe for drivers and pedestrians (locals and foreign talent included).

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