Don't just shake your head in pity when you see a hit-and-run accident. Be an eyewitness.
Even if all you remember is a small detail, like the colour of the car involved in the accident.
If not, those startling figures above will keep rising and cowardly hit-and-run drivers may go unpunished.
Deputy commander of the Traffic Police, Superintendent Lee Chee Chiew, said: "When we appeal for information, we usually do receive some feedback.
"But people usually don't come forward because they didn't catch the car's plate number.
"But sometimes, if people can describe the car such as the colour and the make, it's important.
"Whatever information you have is always useful to the police. But if these people don't come forward, we can't solve these cases.
MORE CASES
Hit-and-run cases here have gone up in recent years.
There were 302 such offences last year compared to 206 in 2005 - a nearly 50 per cent jump.
The number of fatalities from such cases have also increased. Seven victims died last year, compared to six in 2005, four in 2004.
On Monday night, two eyewitnesses did their part when a woman, a China national, 29, was killed in a hit-and-run accident along Outram Road.
One witness managed to take down the registration number of the car which reportedly hit the woman, while another called the police and tried to give first aid.
The driver, a 48-year-old businessman, was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of drink driving.
The accident was apparently witnessed by several people but, in the end, only two came forward to help the police in their investigations.
Businessman Jackie Hoo, 28, was the one who called the police and ambulance, then waited for the police to arrive so he could give his statement.
Mr Hoo said he had debated whether to give chase, but decided not to as it would have been dangerous for him to cut through the four lanes.
He was commended by the Traffic Police for his public-spirited act yesterday. The other eyewitness could not be contacted as he had left Singapore yesterday.
Mr Hoo said he was driving home after dinner when he saw the car hit the woman.
He said: "I saw it happen right before my eyes. I was very shocked because I didn't realise the impact would be so great. The girl was flung about one to two metres into the air.
"And the worse thing is, the driver didn?t stop to help or investigate. I was very disgusted and angry.?
He said: "Quite a number of drivers stopped to help, too. Some moved the flower-pots to block off the area, others tried to re-direct traffic.
"I stayed behind because I saw the whole thing and I wanted to give my statement to the police."
Mr Hoo recalled how last year he stopped to help a motorcyclist who had skidded on the wet road. The same year, he also helped a pedestrian who was grazed by a car.
While there were other eyewitnesses of the Outram accident, Mr Hoo said that most left once the police arrived.
He said: "There were at least three other drivers who stopped to help. But they left once the police arrived. Maybe they didn't want the hassle of giving their statements.
"But I told myself if I don't give my statement, I won't be able to sleep. The girl is dead from a hit-and-run.
"There's no justice and it's not right. I must stay to do my part and I'm glad I helped.
