It takes an observant expatriate - Mr Andrew Raven - to remind Singaporeans of our poor driving habits ("Driving home a contradiction").

The figure of 219 deaths last year is high for a "Class 1" road system - excellent, well-maintained roads with clear road and traffic signs. Yet we have the dubious honour of having the highest number of deaths logged for every 10,000 vehicles - 2.6 deaths here compared to 1.2 in Australia, 1.8 in the United States and 0.8 in Japan.

As a frequent visitor to Japan, I have observed a strict self-discipline practised by drivers there in maintaining speed limits and showing courtesy on the roads.

I was perplexed when some Singapore drivers complained about speed cameras being deployed on overhead bridges and more signages on speed limits for certain areas and accident-prone roads. These drivers argued that cars should go with the flow and speed of the traffic, rather than adhere to the speed limits. This means motorists can drive without any speed limit on a clear road.

Just last month, a truck hit a young National University of Singapore professor, killing him. Readers should note what his father said: "Even if he (the truck driver) apologises, it won't change the situation. It doesn't matter whether or not the truck driver had the right of way. The pedestrian's safety should always come first."

A Japanese once told me that it is only right that "the big gives way to the small", which means: Give way to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

In Japan, I once stood in a train carriage just behind the captain's compartment. At every rail stop, the driver had this hand movement that resembled the face of a clock: First, he pointed ahead at 12 o'clock, then to his right (the 3 o'clock signal) and to his left (the 9 o'clock signal). Finally, he looked straight ahead before powering the engine. All this he did with precision and pride.

Several years ago, I used to see our SBS bus captains doing this before pulling away from a stop. This is a good practice that I see in drivers of buses and heavy vehicles in South Korea and Japan.

Good driving habits must be cultivated at all driving schools, and the mindset should be changed from "I have the right of way" to "give way to pedestrians".

And drivers must know that there is a speed limit in the city.

Finally, it is courteous to give way to other drivers when the other has signalled early, and it is nice to get a wave of thanks back.

Courtesy should flow onto our roads. Campaigns, education and enforcement are needed. It is better to arrive at your destination a little late but safe, than to have an accident and never arrive.

David Wang

This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Sept 21, 2008.