Trees along Mainroads & Expressways, are they a Menace?

last SG · 2007-05-16T14:07:21+00:00

think those beside is drain is more dangerous. u see PIE someplace ah 1st lane beside got drain 1 lor if wheel go inside then hosey

ShutterBug SG

We all drive everyday, and we all depend a lot on all our existing Mainroads & Expressways to get to our destinations.

But I like to draw your attention to all those large, tall and old trees with overhanging branches that lined most of Singapore's Expressways & Mainroads; I see most of them have got branches that stretches almost halfway across roads. What will happen, if one of those thick branches break and fall during a thunderstorm? Even without thunderstorms, branches of old trees are known to come crashing down and flattening cars either passing by, or parked beneath it.

What's my point? Well, shade from trees in carparks and along roads and expressways are a welcome benefit, but what and who is ensuring that branches of these trees don't break off and harm road users? And when such a thing happens, who do we claim damages from?? I find it hard to accept the counter-claim under 'Acts of God', when such hazards were not prevented through maintenance by the responsible gov agency, in the first place.

I know that the PWD or Nparks conducts regular Tree Pruning along expressways, but why don't they remove all overhanging branches instead of trimming off twigs?

Or must they wait till something horrific and sad occurs before resorting to my suggestion?

Your opinions would be good in this concern.

tomsss SG

would u rather see a car hit a tree or fly across the divider and hit oncoming cars, skid off the road and careen into huge drain or land straight into a shop full of people?

these trees can also help serves as a barrier, you have to consider that too.

i just think that they should do more regular trimmings, that's all.

Besides, these trees help make our country "Uniquely Singapore" too Laughing

ShutterBug SG

Yes, the presence of trees does act as a form of barrier in the event of accidents. But ideally, I wasn't suggesting the total removal of trees, but to 'shape' their growth so that there are no dangerous overhanging branches over carriageways.

I do agree trees makes our country "Uniquely SIngapore", but we also do not want problems tha are Uniquely Ours...

iamstreet15 SG

i tink tis is the downside tat we hav to face to be uniquely singapore what is a tree without branches wont make the scenery nice ryt i tink the nparks and sla are doin their best to make the trees on our roads as safe and well kept as possible..

iamstreet15 SG

newbie22 SG

Did you know??

that they inspect the health of the trees? if the trees are too old and branches are weak, they will be cut off.. if they are strong and healthy, they will leave it..

however, even those trees that are strong, but dangerously overhead of expressway, they will be trimmed as well.. so dun worry.. if a lightning strike and a thick branch fall on your car.......... ermz....... all the best.. haha.. i really dunno about the lightning situation..

Ah Cek SG

chicken and egg issue…

bmx_rider SG

nothing will be done until something bad happen..btw dun worry..nvr happen b4..

tomsss SG

wah... got alot of big big trees fell onto the roads b4 leh.... block traffic ah, commuters kpkb ah....

its just that so far, never heard of trees causing fatalities.

i believe the relavent aurthorities are already doing a good job at the moment.

tofushop193 SG

sometime i drive some trees growing out one ar…i scare my lorry the behind kana sia…

sir_boris SG

You may wanna feedback this to LTA and see what sort of response they'll give. Yes, you can do it online. No need to make a trip to LTA. No need queue no. Wink

AE86tofu SG

since when mercedes got lorry one Laughing

MooKu SG

I feel so exasperated reading this.

Should the government also cordone off the beaches because people have been drowning in them? Maybe the government should also make it compulsory for all citizens to learn swimming and life-saving techniques as well as educate them on when to swim and when not to swim, and when the tides are high and when they are low, as well as stipulate that all citizens should perform so and so warm-up techniques before stepping into the sea/

sinicker SG

i have no qualms with the trees. they provide a shade if you’re driving under them on a sunny day. and it feels great when you drive and a lot of leaves are falling due to wind. like driving in autumn haha.

cosmic_rides SG

btw when u hit a tree, u will be fined by national parks or some government sector. they say it is cause you damaged the tress and will have to pay to get them replaced. so how come they dun pay u when their tree branches break or snap and damaged ur car?

ditzy SG

Then I hope no one hits those big trees planted at biopolis, I got word they cost a few million bucks to transplant. Laughing

<Precious> SG

Methinks We are the menace to the trees by our reckless driving more than anything! Laughing

BufPuf SG

i think they shd just trim it

although can act as a barrier, i notice it kinda block the incoming traffic.

Like when i about to turn right, waiting at the junction, the trees block the incoming cars on the extreme right lane. Than have to move a bit in front and sometimes might drive too far out liao.

mancha SG

The trees also have a cooling effect. Tree lined roads are cooler to drive on than bare open roads.
Singapore also is in danger of becoming too concretised. Look at our town centres, more and more are losing their grass patch, have tiled pavements as replacements.
More trees, more rain.

Gazelle SG

CO2