Tanah Merah Coast Road accidents averaged 20 a year, with cyclists in about nine cases: Sim Ann

Traffic accidents on Tanah Merah Coast Road resulted in injuries or deaths at an average of about 20 cases a year from 2020 to 2025, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann said in Parliament on Feb 12.

Of these, about nine accidents a year involved cyclists, she added, responding to a question from Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Cai Yinzhou.

Tanah Merah Coast Road accidents linked to riding behaviour and lookout failures

Ms Sim said the primary causes included cyclists riding in a disorderly manner. She also cited failures by both cyclists and motorists to keep a proper lookout.

In addition, she said some road users did not have proper control of their vehicles or mobility devices.

Mr Cai had asked how many accidents on the stretch involved cyclists and whether heavy vehicles and road debris primarily caused them.

Enforcement and outreach at accident hot spots

Ms Sim said the Traffic Police (TP) carries out regular enforcement operations at accident hot spots, including Tanah Merah Coast Road.

She added that TP and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) also run public education efforts to promote safe and gracious behaviour on the roads.

As part of this work, TP and LTA engage the cycling community through partners such as the Singapore Cycling Federation and the People’s Association, she said, and they disseminate safety guidelines for both motorists and cyclists.

Summonses issued and penalties proposed

Ms Sim said police issued 650 summonses to cyclists for traffic violations in late 2025.

Separately, she noted that authorities proposed stiffer penalties in 2026 for lorry owners who do not fit speed limiters, including a tenfold increase in fines.

The measures form part of ongoing enforcement and safety efforts on a road stretch that has remained an accident hot spot in recent years.