A woman narrowly escaped being hit by SMRT bus 972 while jaywalking behind Wisma Atria across Orchard Turn on 13 September at around 3pm. Wearing headphones, she only reacted when she was inches away from the double-decker bus. Dashcam footage from a nearby vehicle, posted on the Facebook page Roads.sg, captured the incident. The woman, not looking in the direction of oncoming traffic, was alerted by the dashcam driver who repeatedly sounded his horn. She looked up just as the bus was a mere metre away, and the bus managed to stop in time to avoid hitting her. Startled, she scurried back and held up her hand in an apologetic gesture before running out of view.
Background
The incident highlights the dangers of jaywalking, especially when distracted by devices such as headphones. The footage, which has garnered significant attention on social media, underscores the importance of pedestrian awareness and the quick reflexes required by drivers to prevent accidents. The Roads.sg Facebook page, where the video was posted, is known for sharing traffic-related incidents to promote road safety.
Lauded bus captain
Most commenters praised the bus captain for his alertness and quick reaction, which prevented a potentially fatal accident. Another driver commended the dashcam car for sounding the horn, which also helped alert the bus driver. The general consensus among commenters was that the woman was fortunate to escape unscathed.
Public reaction
The video has sparked a discussion on social media about the risks of jaywalking and the use of headphones while crossing roads. Many users expressed their relief that the incident did not result in injury, while others criticised the woman for her lack of attention. The post received 326 reactions, 153 comments, and 53 shares, indicating widespread engagement and concern.
Related incidents
This incident is not isolated; similar occurrences have been reported globally. For instance, in San Francisco, a police officer slammed a Black mother of five into a wall during a jaywalking stop, resulting in multiple hospital visits. Such incidents highlight the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety and the need for increased awareness and preventive measures.
Future implications
The close call serves as a reminder for both pedestrians and drivers to remain vigilant. Authorities may consider implementing stricter enforcement of jaywalking laws and promoting public awareness campaigns to reduce such incidents. The role of technology, such as dashcams, in documenting and preventing accidents is also becoming increasingly significant.
